“The first feminist revolution is possible”

For several weeks now, people in Iran have been taking to the streets—led by women. They are fighting across class, ethnic, gender, and generational lines for a free and good life. And, time and again, for THEIR lives. Because what they are demanding is not only revolutionary, but also a criminal offense in the theocratic state of Iran. It is about the fall of the Islamic Republic.

October 22, 2022, Berlin: My mother and I are two of 80,000 people standing around the Victory Column. We are at the largest demonstration of solidarity with the protesters in Iran that has ever taken place abroad. The biggest demonstration I have ever attended. I have never seen so many people, so many Iranians who have traveled from all over Europe and some from across the globe. For me, it is special to be here with my mother: In 1995, she had the courage to flee Iran with me for feminist reasons. Today, we hope for those same freedoms for the people there. Over and over, the chorus of Azadi! – Freedom can be heard. Woman, Life, Freedom is written on many signs. Jin, Jiyan, Azadi has become the slogan of the protests currently defining the situation in Iran. It was triggered by the death of the Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police in mid-September. The fact that the case became public is thanks to her family's courage in refusing to stay silent and the courage of two journalists who reported on the case. Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi are still in prison for their reporting. They face the death penalty. In the city of the murdered 22-year-old, the first protests broke out in September, spreading across the entire country and continuing to this day.

The right to self-determination and a free and good life

"I've seen that people in Iran are taking to the streets against the headscarf. I hope your family is okay," a friend asks me. My family is okay, but people are not taking to the streets against the headscarf; they are protesting, among other things, for the freedom to decide whether they want to wear it. The state of women's rights in Iran is dire: women are worth less in court. Their testimony is worth only half as much as that of men. Rape and domestic violence are not criminalized, divorce laws discriminate against women and grant them fewer rights and decision-making powers. Custody of children is often automatically granted to the father once the child reaches the age of seven. Bans on dancing, singing, attending stadiums, or even becoming a president or judge—these are all things people are taking to the streets against. However, the protest is about much more than just the desire for equality. Because whenever women's rights are at stake, human rights are at stake as well.

The end of the Islamic Republic in sight

More than 200 people have already died during the protests, including children. Thousands have been imprisoned, while the whereabouts of others remain unknown. Rape is being used systematically in prisons. And yet, the people continue. It is often argued in the West that there is a lack of a leading figure and an alternative. But for the people on the ground, this question does not arise. Their primary concern is the end of the current situation. For the first time, it is not about isolated issues like election fraud, rising prices, or drought. For the first time, it is not about reforms. It is about the will of the population to topple the Islamic Republic.

The first feminist revolution is possible

There have been many protests in Iran over the last few decades. Some larger, some smaller. And yet, this one is different from the others. Not only because the fall of the Islamic Republic is the goal of the protests for the first time. For the first time since the introduction of the Islamic Republic in 1979, all genders, all ethnicities, all social classes, and all age groups are taking to the streets together. In every province of the country. Protesting in Iran means not knowing if you will return home in the evening. And yet, the protests have not subsided for more than a month. Led by women. Many are already calling it the beginning of a revolution. It could be the world's first feminist revolution.

Also in the West: Don't look away, take action

We in the West should not just be witnesses to this revolution. Everyone is called upon not to look away, but to take action: demonstrations, petitions, writing to members of parliament, sharing on social media. But also, learning about and talking about Iran. We now have the opportunity to think about feminism globally and to take action. Now is the chance to show that we don't just want a feminist foreign policy, but that we live it. The people in Iran want us abroad to be their voice. Being a voice requires activism. And in these times, activism is not just requested—it is our feminist duty.

"Mom, we will never see this many Iranians in one place again," I realize to myself as we are on our way home on Saturday. Still overwhelmed by how many people were at the demonstration. "Yes, we will," my mother replies. A gentle glimmer of hope blows through her open hair.

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Tannaz Falaknaz was born in Iran and fled with her mother in 1995. She is actively involved in the Iranian community.

EAF Berlin stands in solidarity with all those in Iran fighting for human rights and against oppression.

We call on everyone to: We should not just be witnesses, but take action and be a voice for the protesters in Iran: by talking about it and raising awareness, demonstrating, signing petitions, writing to members of parliament, or sharing content on social media. Now is the chance to show that we don't just want a feminist foreign policy, but that we live it.

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