Female Freedom Fighters
Why the World’s First Feminist Revolution is Happening in Iran

DW History and Culture
14. sep. 2023

A female revolution is underway in Iran. The mullahs are fighting back with brutal force. A year after it all began, women aren't giving up.

On September 16, 2022, the death of Jina Mahsa Amini became the catalyst for an unprecedented revolt. Under the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom," people in Iran took to the streets demanding an overthrow of the regime. The state's response: violence.

Mass demonstrations were met with force. But the women and their allies continued to resist in the face of violence and brutality. Many courageously took to the streets without hijab in a show of resistance.



The oppression of women is the foundation on which the mullahs' power rests. Not only are women required to veil themselves. They are not allowed to sing, dance or ride a bicycle in public. In court, a woman's voice counts as half to a man's. Systematic state violence is also part of the oppression. Mass imprisonment, torture and rape in prisons.

Time and again, women have fought back, there have been demos for change. But what is happening now eclipses all protests that have ever taken place in Iran.

On this episode of Arts Unveiled, we explore the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and speak to the women who have put their lives on the line for this revolution.

0:00 Introduction
04:40 The Politics of Women's Hair
08:31 Stealing Women's Rights
10:23 Inside Prison
13:00 Resistance And Not For The First Time
14:30 - Woman, life, Freedom


For more visit: https://www.dw.com/en/culture/s-1441
⮞ Follow DW Culture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dw.culture
⮞ Follow DW Culture on Twitter: twitter.com/DW_Culture

Please follow DW's netiquette: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G