Women all around the world are cutting their hair on social media in protest. People in Turkey, the United States and even Afghanistan have all come together to protest the lack of freedom for women in countries under extremist rule.  

These protests were triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman visiting family in Tehran, Iran who was arrested by morality police officers for allegedly violating their strict hijab laws. After being sent to a detention center, Mahsa Amini collapsed and died after a three-day coma. 

The morality police have stated her death was caused by sudden heart failure due to her alleged pre-existing health conditions. Her family has refuted these claims, saying she was beaten by the morality police.

The people of Iran are protesting for equality, but the government is pushing back, arresting hundreds of people, including 20 journalists.  According to Iran Human Rights, “76 protesters are confirmed to have been killed by security forces.” Iranian media claims only 41 have been killed. 

After Amini’s death, protests occurred well beyond Iran’s borders and all over the world. Women in the nearby country of Afghanistan are also being forced to cover up, but one of the protesters anonymously spoke out, saying, “We are sure that one day, our people will rise in the same way as the Iranian people.” 

French citizens have also been standing up for the women in Iran by protesting in Paris, a surprise, since France is known for their controversial hijab banning laws. However, while the women in France have been fighting for the right to wear their hijabs, the women of Iran have been fighting for the right to wear what they choose.

The Iranian government is also filtering the media leaving the country by restricting social media platforms like Instagram. They have disrupted the internet to stop footage of the violence in the country as a result of these protests. 

Despite the adversity they face from their government, Iranians still continue to protest against Iran’s rulings. They are joined by people all over the world who stand against the Iranian regime’s suppression of freedom.