The simmering debate over mandatory dress code enforcement in Iran has been reignited with the news that a revised hijab bill has been sent to the Guardian Council, a powerful unelected body, for approval. The bill proposes a stricter enforcement regime, potentially leading to harsher penalties for those who violate the country’s Islamic dress code, which mandates that women cover their hair in public.
The proposed penalties have sparked controversy across the Iranian political spectrum. Hardliners in parliament believe the measures don’t go far enough, seeking to further restrict freedoms. They argue that stricter enforcement is necessary to uphold Iran’s Islamic values and social order. Meanwhile, moderate politicians and what is believed to be a majority of Iranian women firmly oppose the bill. They see it as a curtailment of fundamental rights and a return to a more conservative past. Women’s rights activists have been particularly vocal in their opposition, organizing protests and online campaigns to denounce the legislation.
This legislation is seen as a response to the mass protests led by Iranian women against the government in 2022. The protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who was arrested by morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules, highlighted simmering discontent with mandatory dress codes and restrictions on social freedoms. The hijab bill is viewed by some as an attempt by the clerical and political leadership to appease hardliners while reasserting control over the narrative surrounding women’s rights.
The Guardian Council’s verdict on the revised draft remains unknown. If approved, the bill would usher in stricter enforcement of the dress code, with potentially harsher penalties including fines, imprisonment, and professional bans. This could lead to heightened social tensions, a crackdown on dissent, and further marginalization of women in Iranian society. Rejection, on the other hand, could be seen as a setback for Iran’s conservative leadership and emboldened calls for reform. The Council’s decision will be closely watched, as it holds significant implications for women’s rights, social freedoms, and the balance of power within Iran’s complex political landscape.
