Iran: women mobilize against the tightening of the obligation to wear the veil

Women wearing the veil, in Tehran, July 12, 2022. © AFP - ATTA KENARE

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1 min

For several weeks, the authorities have launched a new campaign to enforce the Islamic veil outside but also in banks and administrations.

Faced with these hardenings, women called to demonstrate without veils in the street this Tuesday, July 12.

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With our correspondent in Tehran,

On social media, you can see videos of women walking down the street or going to shops without veils.

Some are filmed from behind or with a mask over their mouth so as not to be recognized.

Others show their faces and affirm in front of the camera

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But these are rather individual actions carried out by feminist activists or simple Iranian women.

Meanwhile, some 10,000 women gathered at a stadium in central Tehran on Tuesday (July 12) to support the compulsory wearing of the veil.

Other pro-hijab rallies, organized by the government, are planned for the next few days in several cities across the country.

Tightening on the veil

A month ago, the government decided to implement a new veil law by imposing new dress restrictions on women.

In the religious cities of Mashhad and Qom, guidelines have been issued to prohibit providing services to poorly veiled women in government offices and banks.

Poorly veiled women have even been banned from entering the Mashhad metro.

The wearing of the veil is less and less respected in Iran.

In the big cities, you can see young girls or women with a scarf falling on their shoulders.

Many motorists have received SMS warnings from the police for not respecting the veil while driving.

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• Iran

• Womens rights