RHAP stands with the Iranian people fighting for a life without targeted violence and the right to bodily autonomy. We cannot have true reproductive freedom and justice until everyone, everywhere is able to live a life free from all forms of oppression and violence. We urge our communities to speak out against these injustices happening in Iran and join efforts to promote the right to bodily autonomy across the globe.

Please read this statement written by former RHAP Fellow Sheila Attaie, DO and chief resident Chaudy Sotoudeh, DO circulated to their residency program:

With the protests occurring in Iran and poor coverage by national media outlets, we would like to address the igniting tragedy of Mahsa Amini’s death and what has ensued. On September 16th, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman, Zhina Mahsa Amini, was arrested and killed while in custody of the “morality police” in Tehran, Iran for not covering all her hair with a hijab. The following day, and for the last 4 weeks, protests have erupted across Iran and the world. A revolution, whose leader is not another dictator, extremist, politician, or religious leader, but the collective spirit of the brave women and girls of Iran. Across the globe we are chanting: “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi” or “Women, Life, Freedom.”

You may have seen videos of women removing their hijab and cutting their hair, an act of defiance in honor of Mahsa Amini. You may also have seen videos of police in Iran using brute force against protestors on the streets, and headlines that students from the most prestigious university in Iran, Sharif University, were shot at by police for protesting. A Norway-based Iran human rights organization estimates that at least 154 people have been killed during the protests so far. Hundreds have been arrested. More realistic estimates have those numbers in the thousands. 

Since the revolution in 1979, a radical regime took control of Iran and made it illegal for women to do things like show their hair, paint their nails, dance, sing, ride a bike, divorce, or travel without their husband’s consent. Every single Iranian we know has a friend or relative that has been killed, beaten, imprisoned, or harmed by this regime. Despite this inhumanity, the women, the youth, and the courage of Iran is shining through the violence. 

We know there is always a cause or crisis in the world, and it can be overwhelming and difficult to face and talk about. What is happening in Iran, however, is worth all our attention. In May 2020, George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis sparked a global movement against racism. Today, Mahsa Amini’s murder is brewing a similar force against injustice–this time against women. Bodily autonomy and the fight to dismantle oppressive, patriarchal systems is indeed intersectional and global.

American author, historian, and activist Blair Imani brought this to light in their statement:

“Whether we are fighting for the right to abortion–

For Muslims in France to be able to wear Hijab–

For women in Iran to be able to not wear Hijab or wear it how they choose–

For trans and non-binary people to access gender affirming care–

It is all the same fight.

It is a fight for bodily autonomy.”

Iranian women are fighting to live free of targeted violence and to make their own choices. Sounds familiar, right? An attack on women’s rights anywhere sets a precedent to justify limiting women’s, and human rights everywhere. We hope you join our efforts in raising awareness on the injustices happening in Iran and contributing to the efforts of this global movement led by the brave women and girls of Iran. 

What can you do to help?

1. EDUCATE 

The first step is educating ourselves with the facts. Below you will find some resources regarding the events in Iran and some context surrounding the global fight for choice on wearing the hijab:  

• Marie Claire article 
• SBS news article 
• Guide made on instagram 
• Last Week Tonight Episode
• The Daily: An Iranian Uprising Led by Women
• Jon Stewart: The #MahsaAmini Protests 
• Hostages is a good docuseries on how the regime came to power and the role of the US

2. BE A VOICE

Share your knowledge in conversations and social media platforms to raise awareness. Media outlets are not covering this, and the government has shut down the internet in Iran. Many friends have told us our instagram posts are their only source of information about any of this. So let’s use our power. Share, repost, chat with friends, ANYTHING!! Especially for non-Iranians, you are our allies and hope in spreading this information beyond our communities. Not a person who posts? Me either, but this is a unique circumstance, and we need to be the voice for those who are literally being silenced. Ways to find posts to share: 

• Accounts to follow: 
  • From___Iran
  • MiddleEastMatters
  • Tara Grammy
  • Amnestyiran
  • Nazanin Boniadi
  • Iamnazaninnour
• Hashtags to follow/use: #Mahsaamini #opiran #iranprotests #freeiran #womenlifefreedom #iranrevolution2022

3. DONATE

If you like, you can donate to organizations dedicated to protecting and supporting human rights in Iran: 

• Center for Human Rights in Iran
• The Iranian Diaspora Collective
• Human Rights Watch

4. ATTEND RALLIES

Follow @MiddleEastMatters.info to find or start rallies in your area!

 

5. CALL YOUR CONGRESS

Ask our leaders to speak out against the human rights violations committed by the Islamic Republic regime, support the people of Iran, and stop negotiating with this regime! 

In solidarity and with love for Iran, 

Drs. Chaudy Sotoudeh and Sheila Attaie

*Disclaimer:  Although “women” is a gendered word, it is important that we too shout for “Women, Life, Freedom,” while uplifting non-cis communities. We recognize that many marginalized communities, especially those who identify as LGBQTIA+, experience oppression and violence by the regime, and are also bravely leading this revolution.