The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) extends its hearty congratulations to the brave women of Iran and all the people who have been on the streets for the last three months protesting the custodial death of 22 year-old Mahsa Amini by the 'morality police' of Iran. Mahsa Amini was arrested by the ‘morality police’ for allegedly not covering her head properly with the hijab.
Women of Iran protested this murder by burning the hijab and publicly cutting off their long hair. Together with them many progressive intellectuals, students, artists and citizens of Iran defied the wrath of the oppressive regime and faced batons and bullets. This unremitted and united struggle for women’s right to choose their dress and to move freely in public has forced the Iranian government to withdraw the morality police. The attorney-general of Iran announced that the morality police is not a part of the judicial system in the country. The women of Iran have provided a shining example of what an united struggle for autonomy and equality can do.
This is a great victory for the women of Iran and also for women all over the world resisting the oppression and religious extremism of various kinds. It is a lesson for autocratic governments all over the world using religion to supress the rights of women.
AIDWA stands in solidarity with the protestors who have been incarcerated. Now with the withdrawal of the morality police, we expect the Raisi regime to withdraw all the cases and release all those who have been jailed during these protests.
