Iran’s modesty laws and sexual exploitation of women exposed: The Washington Times

By Lana Silk

Iran ‘morality police’ tighten chokehold on women

The United Nations Human Rights Council recently released a report that has placed the Iranian government under a global microscope for its egregious human rights crisis and ongoing mistreatment of women, originally spotlighted by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 for wearing “improper” hijab. In light of the anniversary of her passing two years ago, we must not forget these courageous women, my very people, who are still controlled and suffering at the hands of a misogynistic regime — even with the new, moderate president in office.

Today, Iran’s “morality police” continue to tighten the chokehold on women in every attempt to silence their voices. Not only have more restrictive veiling laws been enforced in 2024 as the women following in Mahsa Amini’s wake push back but paradoxically, these very women are being increasingly forced into acts of sexual exploitation.

For a regime with the sole intent of controlling its people, these seemingly contradictory practices cohesively align, further integrating power and sickening abuse over an already deeply disadvantaged people.

As an Iranian-born woman myself and someone who regularly works with brave individuals on the ground in Iran, working to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the nation’s people, I believe the rest of the world needs to know what is happening to the women of Iran.

Worsening sex practices in Iran

1. “Sighe” – Temporary marriage, including child marriage

Iranian law prohibits sex outside of marriage. Because this law is taken very seriously, a loophole designed to transcend this ruling for the purposes of sexual abuse is commonly practiced. Temporary marriage, formally known as “sighe,” blessed by Islamic religious leaders, can last anywhere from half an hour to several months.

While the “official” age for girls to marry is 13, there is in practice, no legal minimum regarding marital age in Iran. I have seen heartbreaking photographs of little girls on their wedding day holding their dolls. These types of marriages allow grown men to sexually assault these girls once or repeatedly, divorcing them shortly after that, leaving them tossed to the side by society, tainted, and likely left to a lifetime of prostitution.

2. Judicial assault and prostitution networks

Because of practices like sighe, prostitution has become common in Iran. Despite its illegality, prostitution is not only reinforced in Iran’s Islamic theocracy, but it is all too often the only choice these girls feel left with for their life’s course. To make matters worse, in the judicial system itself, coercion and assault are widespread. It is harrowing to read the reports I’ve received of ethnic minority women, specifically Kurdish women, being sexually assaulted by authority figures — with no recourse for investigation or punishment for these men whatsoever. Additionally, Christian women whose husbands have been arrested were told that if they granted the judge sexual favors, he could make it all “go away.”

The fact that Iranian men and women are prohibited from holding hands or being seen together in public should offer further perspective on this horrific absurdity; while these sickening evils occur behind closed doors and are simply swept under the rug, they are all too often initiated by those who religiously impose these controlling “modesty” laws.

3. Sex work for military intel

Just last year, various news reports documented yet another appalling abuse. The newest exploitation of Iranian women is for military advantage, using them as bait in overtly sexual online chatrooms and forums to gather intelligence from Israeli militants amid the war in the Middle East. Not only are these women without a choice in the matter, but after they are no longer needed, I predict they will also be tossed aside, without opportunities for decent work or marriage, shamed by their government which has forced them into this position in the first place.

How can we practically help?

We can no longer ignore this reality.

As there is no legal or societal support for the women of Iran, we must continue to raise awareness of the reality of their oppression. With advocacy comes a deepened understanding of the basic right of free will, the right to choose — a right these women deserve and have yet to fathom. If nothing else, there is something to be said for suffering alongside those who are suffering. There also is a need for the support of specialized nonprofit organizations extending helping hands to these women. It is particularly important that these groups offer that amplified voice, alongside resources such as trauma counseling, practical advice, educational avenues for helping these girls out of their heartbreaking situations, and viable connections for other means of income.

From these support systems, Iranian women and girls are able to experience authentic healing from the physical, sexual, and emotional abuses that they have endured. They need to know that there is hope — beyond the blatant lies they have been told that they have true God-given identities of freedom and choice.

These voices of advocacy and practical help bring forth that reality for these women. This is why we must not give up and why we must be their voice during this crucial time — through sharing information on social media, by remaining educated and informed, and by supporting humanitarian organizations making an impact in Iran. We cannot forget these women. Their cries are heard in heaven and on earth — now globally. Let us fight alongside them in unceasing solidarity.

Header image: An Iranian woman without wearing her mandatory Islamic headscarf flashes a victory sign as two head-to-toe veiled women walk at the old main bazaar of Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Originally published on: The Washington Times