By 
25-11-2024
Roxie Burton
Women’s Rights Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence
The Iranian state has spoken of its plans to open treatment clinics for women who defy the country’s strict hijab laws that mandate that women cover their heads in public.
This idea was first proposed by Mehri Talebi Darestani, who is the head of the Women and Family Department of the Terhan Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Darestani announced the opening of a “hijab removal treatment clinic” which will offer “scientific and psychological treatment for hijab removal”. The clinic is said to be aimed at teenagers, young adults and women, with attendance purportedly being optional.
The announcement has propelled outrage by Iranian women and human rights groups, with Sima Sabet, a UK-based Iranian journalist calling the move “shameful” and “chilling”. While Hossein Raeesi, an Iranian human rights lawyer has been quick to note that such a clinic is “neither Islamic, nor is it aligned with Iranian law”. One young girl from Iran has been quoted saying that “It won’t be a clinic, it will be a prison”.
The announcement follows state media reporting of a student who was arrested for stripping down to her underwear in Tehran, who was then arrested by campus security and transferred to a psychiatric hospital. Amnesty International has noted that this is not an isolated incident, as there is evidence that those protesting against the hijab laws often face violence and forced medication, and are deemed by society to be mentally unstable, thus being thrust into state-run psychiatric services.
Sources and further readings:
Deepa Parent, (November 14, 2024), ‘Iran announces ‘treatment clinic’ for women who defy strict hijab laws’ The Guardian <https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/nov/14/iran-announces-treatment-clinic-for-women-who-defy-strict-hijab-laws> Accessed 1 December 2024.
Ashifa Kassam, (November 3, 2024) ‘Iran arrests woman who stripped in protest at ‘abusive’ dress code policing’ The Guardian <https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/03/woman-arrested-in-iran-after-stripping-during-anti-harassment-protest> Accessed 1 December 2024.
Bob Cronin, (November 14, 2024) ‘Iran Plans ‘Treatment’ for Women Who Don’t Wear Hijab’ Newser <https://www.newser.com/story/359536/women-who-dont-wear-hijab-could-receive-treatment.html> Accessed 1 December 2024.
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