Mahsa Amini, the young woman who died for not wearing the veil correctly

Mahsa Amini was 22 years old and from a Kurdish province in western Iran.. On September 14, she was traveling with her family to Tehran, when she was suddenly detained by the regime’s “moral security agency.” The reason? The police alleged that she was wearing her veil incorrectly and that she was also wearing pants that were too tight. They hit her against the police vehicle and then took her away.

They were going to take her to “Islamic re-education classes,” which they said was a mandatory procedure for those who, according to the state, deviate too much from established moral standards. Two days later he died in a hospital from the attacks he received. Although yes, the authorities alleged that Mahsa had previous illnesses, such as epilepsy, diabetes and a tumor on her head for which she had surgery when she was a child.

Her parents deny this information and insist on the evidence: their daughter was healthy and was cruelly beaten to death by the Iranian regime. After this tragic story, a part of the population has not hesitated to take to the streets. Thousands of people from all social strata are demonstrating against discrimination against women, for the mandatory use of hijab and the lack of social rights.

Thousands of women have cut their hair publicly to protest against the death of Masha Amini and the repression against women.

Mahsa Amini, symbol of an awakening

Mahsa Amini was not an opponent, she was never heard to speak against the regime nor did she ever attend a demonstration. His only fatality was accidentally meeting the morality police and attracting their attention. This security body surveils its population covertly, “ensuring” that certain codes of dress and conduct are complied with.

This police regime has its sights set, almost exclusively, on women. Thus, and although they are supposed to only have the authority to issue warnings, but not arrests, this rule is never met. They can take anyone they want by force. This is what happened to Mahsa Amini, whom her family never saw alive again after said arrest.

Sometimes, a specific trigger is needed for a society to wake up and its voice to be heard. This is what has happened in Iran. The regime of this country is not compatible with our 21st century, the death of this young woman has raised an entire people asking for justice and, above all, changes. They call for the establishment of human and civil rights and the abolition of a theocratic religious regime.

The protests calling for change in a sleeping country

Many claim that the popular uprising that has taken place in Iran in recent days reveals the awakening of a feminist movement. However, even without excluding this fact, it goes much further. Protesters demand an end to violence and discrimination against women. But they also demand radical social change that respects the rights and freedoms of every person.

Iran is not a democracy, but a state run by Islamist theologians. The policy of persecution and forced detention is a constant, there is repression against ethnic minorities and the Ministry of Intelligence has the authority to monitor the activities and ideologies of its citizens. In recent days, for example, The revolutionary guard has bombed camps of Kurdish militants for protesting against the death of Mahsa Amini. In addition, the internet has begun to be restricted.

To this day, it is unknown how many people have lost their lives in the protests that, since the 16th, began to fill the cities of the Persian country. It is estimated that there are more than 35. Meanwhile, Thousands of women have appeared cutting their hair publicly in protest of the repression suffered.

TikTok and Instagram are the channels from which to show the indignation felt, but in recent days, access to these networks has been limited.

Following the Iranian revolution in 1979, the law was introduced requiring women to cover their heads with a scarf and wear loose clothing in public.

Women’s mental health in Iran

Mahsa Amini’s death is the latest atrocity committed by a repressive and violent state. It is the trigger that has made a part of its society want to take to the streets, protest and demand change. However, It is very likely that within a few days the revolts will subside, lose strength and slowly disappear. Everything will remain in a distant echo.

Meanwhile, the lives of its citizens will continue the same trend, with the same fear and the same containment. On the other hand, It is worth making a small mention of women’s mental health. In Iran, as a study by the Tehran University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences reveals, psychological well-being is completely neglected.

Women suffer great mental vulnerability due to repression, forced marriages and the lack of rights and freedoms. Many of them rely more on religion than medical services to seek emotional comfort. The fact of requesting psychological help generates anxiety for fear of being singled out or criticized.

Repression against the civil city and, especially against women, has been a constant for more than four decades.. Iran must repeal all laws and policies that violate international human rights standards. Until that fact occurs, new Mahsas will continue to appear and fear will continue to be installed in the atmosphere of the mythical Persian country.

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