Women in Iran face a complex combination of challenges and opportunities. Significant achievements have been made in the fields of education, art, and science. Yet, restrictive governmental laws and policies have made their situation difficult.
Women in Iran face a complex combination of challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, significant achievements have been made in the fields of education, art, and science. On the other hand, restrictive governmental laws and policies, coupled with social and cultural discrimination, have made their situation difficult. This reality is particularly pronounced for women belonging to ethnic, religious, and political minorities, such as Kurdish or Baluch women.
Politically and socially active women are especially at risk of arrest, torture, and imprisonment. Cases such as Narges Mohammadi, Atena Daemi, Zeinab Jalalian, and Pakhshan Azizi are prominent examples of the suppression of protesting and active women.
The "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Jin, Jiyan, Azadi) movement, which in recent years has been accompanied by widespread protests, symbolizes women's demands for equal rights and greater freedoms. This movement has become one of the icons of the struggle for social justice and equality in Iran.
Women from ethnic, religious, and political minorities in Iran face compounded discrimination:
Kurdish and Baluch Women: These women often grapple with issues such as poverty, state violence, and discrimination in access to education and healthcare services.
Bahá'í and Christian Women: Women belonging to religious minorities face legal and social restrictions and are often deprived of job and educational opportunities.
Women political prisoners in Iran symbolize the intersection of gender-based oppression and state-sanctioned persecution of dissent. Among the most notable cases are Verishe Moradi, Pakshan Azizi, and Zeinab Jalalian, three Kurdish women whose lives and struggles highlight the plight of women caught in the crossfire of ethnic discrimination, systemic gender inequality, and authoritarian repression.
This dossier provides a comprehensive overview of their lives, activism, imprisonment, and the broader context of women’s political imprisonment in Iran.
Background and activism
Varisha Moradi
Varisha Moradi, a Kurdish activist and advocate for women’s rights, was committed to addressing the marginalization of Kurdish women. A community leader, Azizi’s activism focused on empowering women through education and resistance against cultural and state-imposed restrictions. Arrested during the 2021 protests, she has been accused of “Baghi” (armed rebellion) without evidence linking her to such acts.
Pakshan Azizi
Pakshan Azizi, a social worker and feminist, worked to support victims of domestic violence and promoted gender equality in Kurdish regions. She organized programs educating women about their rights and actively challenged patriarchal and state violence. Arrested in August 2023, Pakshan was tortured and falsely accused of rebellion against the regime, earning her a death sentence.
Zeinab Jalalian
Zeinab Jalalian is one of the longest-serving Kurdish women political prisoners in Iran. Arrested in 2008, she was accused of membership in the PJAK (Kurdistan Free Life Party), a charge she denies. Zeinab has been subjected to severe torture and denial of medical care, even as she suffers from life-threatening illnesses. Her case has drawn international attention to the plight of Kurdish women in Iranian prisons.
Arrest and Charges
The arrests of these women reflect systemic flaws in Iran’s judicial process:
Fabricated Charges: Charges like "Baghi," "spreading propaganda against the state," or "corruption on Earth" are frequently leveled without evidence.
Torture and Coerced Confessions: All three women reported being subjected to torture, including physical abuse, psychological intimidation, and prolonged solitary confinement.
Opaque Trials: They were denied access to legal representation during crucial phases of their trials. Court proceedings were brief, secretive, and predetermined, violating international standards of fair trials.
Prison Conditions
The conditions these women face reflect the harsh realities of political imprisonment in Iran:
Physical and Psychological Torture: Torture remains a widespread practice in Iranian detention centers, particularly for political prisoners.
Denial of Medical Care: Zeinab Jalalian has been denied medical treatment for serious illnesses. Pakshan Azizi and Varisha Moradi also suffer from untreated injuries due to torture.
Isolation and Harassment: Political prisoners, especially women, are isolated from their families and subjected to verbal abuse by prison authorities.
Restricted Communication: Access to family visits and legal counsel is severely limited.
Broader Context of Women Political Prisoners
Iran uses imprisonment as a tool to suppress dissent, with women often facing the dual burden of political persecution and gender discrimination:
Targeting Activists: Women involved in social movements, human rights advocacy, or protests are disproportionately targeted.
Ethnic and Gender Discrimination: Kurdish women, in particular, face compounded discrimination due to their ethnicity and gender.
Rise in Executions: Since the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, executions of women have increased dramatically. In 2023 alone, at least 24 women were executed, many of them Kurdish.
5. Global Reactions and Solidarity
The international community has condemned Iran’s treatment of women political prisoners:
Significance of Their Cases
The cases of Verishe Moradi, Pakshan Azizi, and Zeinab Jalalian are significant because:
Demands for Justice
The following steps are essential to address the injustices faced by these women:
Conclusion
The stories of Verishe Moradi, Pakshan Azizi, and Zeinab Jalalian exemplify the courage and determination of Iranian women in the face of oppression. Their imprisonment and persecution are stark reminders of the urgent need for global solidarity in the fight for justice and human rights in Iran.
The rallying cry of “Woman, Life, Freedom” continues to echo worldwide, inspired by the sacrifices and struggles of these women and many others like them.
