The war on women

As a war wages in Iran, an ancient war against women is resurfacing as more Iranian women speak about the atrocities they’ve endured as subjects of a freedom-killing theocratic government. While the culture related to women and girls has evolved in some Middle Eastern countries, women are viewed as subservient to men, at least. Iran has no tolerance for female rights — everything from free speech to women’s garb. Prominent Iranian proponents of democracy and human rights are in hiding, only to occasionally appear on Fox News to tell of the oppression, imprisonment, and, too often, killings that women’s advocates face.

Narges Mohammadi, 54, is among today’s greatest Iranian human rights activists. A brilliant leader, she is vice president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, a Nobel Prize Laureate, and a vocal proponent of mass feminist civil disobedience against the mandatory hijab head covering in Iran, among other draconian policies.

Now she is an Iranian prisoner who last month had another seven years added to her latest sentence, now totaling as much as seventeen years. Mohammadi has a long record of activism and jail time, having first been arrested in 1998 for simply criticizing the Iranian government. She spent one year in prison that time but would return as a result of her work. While incarcerated, Mohammadi continues to stand against the injustice of the regime and denounce the abuse and solitary confinement of detained women.  

While imprisoned in 2023, she received the Nobel Peace Prize. Hearing her story, I wonder who is advocating for women throughout the world, in backward nations, where regimes believe their right to rule is God-given and “God” is telling them how women should be treated.   

The United Nations seems like a good platform, a talking space, but it lacks leverage to spur real change. Advocacy also can come most effectively from free nations offering… freedom. 

Most recently, an Iranian women’s national soccer team refused to sing their national anthem at an international game and immediately faced a threatening backlash from the homeland. Obviously, they were trying to make a statement on the world stage about their oppressive country, their lack of freedom and choice. The team was offered asylum in Australia where they were playing, and half the team was ready to take the offer. Strong, threatening pressure from the, coaches, or guards caused the group of defectors to dwindle to six. They tearfully saw their frightened teammates off. What fate lies ahead for that brave half-dozen women? Who will speak on their behalf? Other women? Other athletes?

I’m reminded of the biggest mouth in women’s soccer, Megan Rapinoe, who led the U.S. women’s national soccer team to win two World Cups in 2015 and 2019, and an advocate for many causes. Rapinoe, who was described as the “first white athlete” to kneel during the U.S. National Anthem, is an advocate for LGBTQ rights and gender equality, yet her silence on the controversial issue of men competing in women’s sports, was deafening. And then “no comment” on the recent human rights fight undertaken by the Iranian women’s soccer team. 

It is incomprehensible to me to recall the beginning of the feminist movement for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls in the 60s. Controversial at times, the feminists helped forge change and a generation of glass ceiling-breakers. We’re not seeing that camaraderie or advocacy among today’s female high-achievers. Rapinoe is but one of many examples who do not defend women’s rights when under attack, like schoolgirl athletes forced to compete with boys. The true feminists of the 21st century stand up and do battle — women like Narges Mohammadi sitting in an Iranian prison for a noble cause.  

As we see war and destruction in Iran, we must not forget its women. We need to add our voices and honor the courageous Iranian women demanding and fighting for what we Americans take for granted: human rights, equal opportunities, and basic freedom.  

Pat Wandling is a veteran journalist, formerly of the Bucks County Courier, and was a mainstay on WBCB for over 20 years.