Iranian Women’s Revolt: A Cry for Freedom Ignored by the West
In Iran, women and youth are risking their lives for freedom, ignited by Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022. Franco-Iranian activist Mona Jafarian's *Je suis iranienne* chronicles their resistance against a brutal regime. Despite widespread repression, the movement persists, while the West remains largely silent, highlighting a critical need for international support.
hassan benyoub 
Tehran, Iran – In the streets of Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, Iranian women and youth are risking their lives to demand a fundamental right: freedom. Their stories of defiance against a brutal Islamist regime are captured in *Je suis iranienne*, a powerful book by Franco-Iranian activist Mona Jafarian, co-founder of the Femme Azadi collective. Yet, the West remains largely silent on their struggle.
A Movement Ignited by Mahsa Amini’s Death
The spark came on September 16, 2022, when Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman known as Jina, died in custody after being arrested by Iran’s morality police for an improperly worn hijab. Her death, allegedly from beatings, unleashed a nationwide uprising. Women burned their hijabs, chanting “Woman, Life, Freedom,” while men joined in, hailing the “lionesses of Iran.” The protests, unlike previous waves in 2009, 2017, and 2019, marked a turning point, with fear shifting from the people to the regime.
Brutal Repression and Widespread Atrocities
The Iranian regime has responded with escalating violence. Mass arrests, public executions, and torture have become commonplace. Women face rape, stoning, and imprisonment, while young men and even children are killed to instill fear. Reports of chemical attacks on girls’ schools and mass executions have eroded support for the regime, even among conservative groups. “The regime’s tactics—rapes, hangings, and child murders—have alienated even their traditional base,” Jafarian notes in her book, which documents 12 women’s stories of resistance.
A History of Resistance
Iran’s fight for freedom is decades old, with each uprising met by harsher crackdowns. The 2022 protests, however, have been unprecedented in scale and unity, driven by a fearless youth and women who refuse to submit. Despite the regime’s attempts to silence them through falsified reports and intimidation, the movement persists, fueled by the memory of martyrs like Amini.
The West’s Silence
Jafarian’s *Je suis iranienne* is a call to action, amplifying the voices of women like Parissa, Mina, and Sepideh, who face imprisonment and death for their defiance. Yet, the book highlights a painful truth: the international community, particularly the West, has largely ignored Iran’s plight. As the regime intensifies its crackdown, the lack of global support leaves activists and protesters isolated in their fight for basic rights.
The Iranian people’s courage continues to inspire, but their cry for freedom demands global attention. Follow our coverage for updates on Iran’s ongoing struggle for human rights.
