On September 13, 2022, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman was arrested by morality police in Tehran for violating Iran’s rule requiring women to cover their hair in public with a hijab, or veil. Three days later, Amini died from what the Iranian government called pre-existing medical conditions. The truth is that Amini died as a result of the beating she received while in police custody. This sparked widespread protests throughout Iran with women demanding more freedom reflective of the way women were treated before the 1979 Islamic Revolution which saw Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini becoming Supreme Leader after Shah Pahlavi who led Iran since 1941 fled the country.
There is a connection between the current movement of Women, Life, and Freedom with protests that took place in 1979. Women took to the streets when the Ayatollah Khomeini first implemented the requirement that women wear hijabs, or veils in public. This was a departure from the more Western Shah rule. Even in 1979, the Iranian government’s response was repressive, resulting in the use of force to end the protests.
We Iranian Women combines interviews with women inside Iran who communicate why they are involved with this protest movement, with discussions from academics, journalists, writers, and comedians. These interviews are in English, French, Farsi, and Italian, with English subtitles In addition to the compelling interviews, real footage of the repressive government response to these protests is shown. The videos showing the protests and resulting violence are difficult to watch, especially for those in the West who often see a more sanitized version of these videos on the nightly news and online.
Being confronted with the repressive violence of the morality police in Iran, as well as citizens, as they confront women who are in public without a veil is unthinkable and can be triggering for many viewing this video. Ultimately, the hijab, or veil, is a symbol of the control of women in the public space along with the economic crisis in the country. As women continue to disproportionality outnumber men in higher education but only make up less than 15% of the workforce, many women are forced to leave the country to find opportunities.
While difficult to watch, the violence perpetrated on women protesting the requirement to wear a hijab, this film provides an impactful view of why movements like this are important to bring about change. This film is recommended for any library collection and will add to current political women’s movements in women and gender studies, international politics, political science, and sociology classrooms.
What type of classroom would this documentary serve as an educational resource for?
This documentary is particularly well-suited for introductory courses that examine international women's issues, providing foundational knowledge and real-world examples that highlight the complexities and diversity of women's experiences globally.
We Iranian Women can be seamlessly integrated into women and gender studies courses, where it can be used to explore themes such as gender equality, feminist movements, and the socio-economic challenges faced by women in different cultural contexts.
In international politics classrooms, the documentary can be used to discuss topics such as women's rights as human rights, the impact of international policies on women, and the role of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.We Iranian Women is also relevant for political science courses, particularly those focusing on comparative politics and international relations. It can help students understand how gender issues influence political systems, policy-making, and governance in various countries.
Lastly, sociology classrooms can benefit from this film as it sheds light on the societal structures and cultural norms that affect women's lives. It can be used to discuss topics such as social stratification, cultural practices, and the role of social institutions in perpetuating or challenging gender inequalities.