Iran women's movement and the struggle against compulsory hijab

The history of the women's movement in Iran is characterized by a continuous struggle against the Islamic Republic, spanning street protests, imprisonment, and civil activism. A key element in this struggle has been the evolution of the language used to describe political demands.

The One Million Signatures Campaign served as a significant milestone in this movement. While the campaign brought various issues into the public political discourse, the term ‘compulsory hijab’ represents a central point of contention that has existed since the early months following the revolution.

In March 1979, thousands of women in Tehran protested against legal regressions and new dress code regulations, including the repeal of the Family Protection Law. These events highlighted that the struggle for women's rights in Iran is not merely about legal amendments, but about the extent of government control over women's personal lives.