2025-03-06

March 8, International Women’s Day, is recognised in many countries as an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and to remember their long and persistent struggles for equality and liberation. In Iran, March 8 has become a day to honour the resistance, courageous battle, and sacrifices of women against the gender apartheid system, structural violence, institutionalised legal and social discrimination, and escalating repression. Iranian women, in their struggle against the patriarchal system and the capitalist regime—both of which systematically disregard their rights—have turned every aspect of social life into a battleground against this oppressive system.

In reality, the struggle for women’s freedom and liberation from all forms of oppression is not just a part of the fight for gender equality but an inseparable part of the broader struggle against capitalism and class exploitation. The oppression that women in Iran experience is not only a result of gender discrimination but is also deeply rooted in economic and social structures built on class inequalities. In such a society, women, as half of the population, are not only deprived of equal economic and social opportunities but are also subjected to legal and cultural systems that fundamentally reinforce patriarchy. This oppressive system using Islamic Sharia law, is widely reflected in legislation that favours men and undermines women’s rights.

From mandatory hijab to laws governing relationships between men and women within the family, laws that disregard women’s rights in areas such as divorce, inheritance, and child custody, all are clear signs of the structural oppression of women in this society. The oppression of women in Iran is evident in all aspects of economic and social life. Iranian women are deprived of equal access to employment, education, and participation in decision-making due to discriminatory laws and existing social structures. Many women have lost their lives in the struggle against these inequalities, suffered blindness, or been arrested and subjected to physical and psychological torture.

Despite escalating repression, Iranian women have never been silent victims of the ruling gender apartheid system. They have stood at the forefront of mass uprisings, from the protests of December 2017 and November 2019 to the revolutionary “Jina” movement. They have supported striking workers, joined the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign from behind prison bars, resisted the morality police in the streets, and risen against honour killings in Marivan and Sanandaj. By removing their hijabs in the Enghelab Street, challenging gender segregation in universities, and actively participating in the struggles of teachers, retirees, nurses, and environmental activists, they have defied systemic oppression. From the world of cinema and art to their own homes, Iranian women have confronted patriarchal culture head-on, turning every arena into a battleground against the Islamic capitalist regime’s gender apartheid.

Through its passionate struggle, Iran’s women’s liberation movement has achieved remarkable milestones with regional and global impact. One of the most significant achievements has been the protests against compulsory hijab. This resistance began decades ago and has grown immensely in recent years. With courage and determination, women have defied mandatory hijab, asserting their right to personal freedom and choice. Forcing the Islamic Republic to retreat from enforcing the so-called “Hijab and Chastity Law” is just one of the victories they have achieved.

However, despite these achievements, the growing number of female political prisoners and the alarming rates of domestic and so-called “honour-based” violence against women in Iran remain deeply troubling. Over the years, thousands of women have been arrested simply for standing up for their fundamental rights, challenging discriminatory laws, and taking part in social movements. Many of these women have endured physical and psychological torture and have been denied the right to a fair trial. Meanwhile, domestic violence—particularly so-called “honour killings”—continues to rise in Iran, with the country’s political and judicial systems actively reinforcing and legitimising these crimes.

In the Islamic Republic, patriarchal laws and cultural norms serve as tools to institutionalise violence against women while protecting perpetrators. This repression is not merely incidental—it is a deliberate strategy to uphold the patriarchal system and maintain the existing order. Ultimately, the regime’s relentless suppression of women reflects its deep fear of their growing power in shaping political and social change.

The Iranian women’s liberation movement, which carries the banner of freedom, equality, and resistance against discrimination, must also position itself within the broader global struggle against class and gender oppression. Solidarity with Palestinian women in the face of Israeli occupation, as well as alignment with global movements fighting social and economic injustice, should be central to its strategy. History has shown that women’s liberation is only possible through radical struggles that seek to transform social and economic systems fundamentally. The women’s liberation movement recognises its progress depends on joining other progressive social movements, including labour unions, teachers, students, nurses, and the revolutionary movement in Kurdistan. March 8 should not only be a day to celebrate past achievements but also a decisive moment of international solidarity— a reminder that the fight will continue until all women, everywhere, are free from the oppression and constraints of capitalism and patriarchy.

Long live March 8, International Women’s Day!

Down with the Islamic Republic Regime!

Long live freedom, equality, and workers’ state!

Central Committee of the Communist Party of Iran                                                   

February 2025

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