Iranian draft law proposing new penalties for women defying dress code sparks debate

A draft law that would set new penalties for Iranian women not complying with the
country’s strict dress code that mandates wearing a headscarf in public has
triggered a heated debate within the Islamic Republic’s leadership as more and
more women defy the rule.

Since the Islamic revolution, women in Iran have been required to cover their hair
and neck while in public, with offenders fined or imprisoned for up to a couple of
months.

Things Changed After September 16

Since the mysterious death of Mahsa Amini last September, an increasing number
are appearing bareheaded in the streets. The 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman
died in police custody, while being arrested days before for allegedly violating the
dress code.

The death sparked nationwide protests, provoking a crackdown by authorities that
killed hundreds of people, including scores of security personnel, and put many
others behind bars.

Iran’s conservatives, who dominate its parliament and leadership, have been
passionately defending the country’s mandatory dress code and believe a relaxation
of rules would bring profound shifts in “social norms”.

But with a growing number of Iranians demanding change, the government and the
judiciary in May proposed a “Support for the Culture of Hijab and Chastity” bill to
bolster family life and protect society.

Bill Weakens Penalties or Strengthens Them?

Under the rules, any person found removing their headscarf in public places or on
the internet will be heavily penalised. But the threat of a prison sentence has been
removed.

According to sociologist Abbas Abdi, the bill reduces the removal of the headscarf to
a misdemeanour from a felony. After the nationwide demonstrations, the society does not accept the rule of imprisoning a woman who does not wear the veil, he
added.

Since the violence, authorities have imposed a number of measures to enforce the
dress code, including tracking down offenders by installing cameras in public places
and closing down businesses whose staff defy the rules.

In the last few days, at least three officials have been arrested or laid off for failing
to prevent women not wearing headscarves from entering historic sites.

Confusions And Complications Remain

Nevertheless, under the proposed regulations, offenders will first receive a warning
message from the police on their mobile phones.

The second violation would trigger penalties of between 5 million and 60 million
rials (roughly $10 to $120), a significant amount for several Iranians. The law would
also support certain other punishments, such as confiscation of vehicles for up to
ten days.

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As lawmakers are yet to examine the draft law, it has been criticised by ultra-
conservatives, an influential bloc in the current parliament, for potentially not being
tough enough.

It seems the bill neither satisfies the supporters of the mandatory dress code, nor
the supporters of the freedom to wear a veil or not. What do you think?