Women in the Islamic Republic of Iran are officially subhuman. Their testimony in a court of law is not equal to that of a man’s. In a family, women can inherit only half of what male members are entitled to. Except for very strict cases, women are denied the right to the custody of their children, to divorce their husbands, or to work, study or travel abroad without their husband's permission.
In 2006, a one-million signature campaign objecting to discriminatory family laws was suppressed. In 2015, a campaign called "My Stealthy Freedom" was launched by the Iranian journalist Masih Alinjed who is based in the US. Women started sharing photos of themselves while defying the compulsory hijab.
"Women realized they are not alone. That they can use hashtags to connect," Masih Alinejad told Al Arabiya English in a phone interview.
.... Alinejad explained that Iranian government can send activists to exile or persecute them in other ways but "when indifferent citizens who mindlessly comply with traditions become conscious and responsible citizens who says no," the government will have to step back because they can arrest only so many people. [Al Arabiya English] Read more
