What the Bill Entails

Iran has postponed the enforcement of its “Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab,” scheduled to commence on December 13. The deferment follows parliamentary approval and aims to mandate women and girls aged 12 and above to wear a hijab in public and on digital platforms.

Strict Enforcement and Severe Penalties

The legislation proposes stringent surveillance and severe penalties, including hefty fines, imprisonment, and the death penalty for violators. Despite President Masoud Pezeshkian’s opposition, his efforts fell short of preventing the bill’s passage.

Why It Matters

This postponement is significant due to Iran facing intense domestic and international scrutiny for perceived intrusions on women’s rights and freedoms. Legal experts from the UN Human Rights Council reported that the bill increases state control over women in Iran and infringes on fundamental freedoms.

Voices for Change in Iran

Mohsen Sazegara, a recognized Iranian dissident and founder of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, emphasized the importance of young women as powerful agents of change in Iran, active in schools and universities. Combining forces with the rising young generation highlights a potent movement poised within the country.

Israeli Perspective

Israel acknowledges the courageous struggle by Iranians striving for their fundamental rights, resonating with the universal call for freedom and democracy. The deferment of Iran’s hijab bill signals the collective efforts by many to foster the empowerment of women and promote human rights within the region.

This story was first published on jpost.com.