Women in Iran Push Back Against Government’s Technology-Driven Dress Code Enforcement
Efforts by the Iranian government to employ surveillance cameras and technology to enforce the mandatory dress code for women are facing resistance. The dress code, which has been a focal point of ongoing protests across the country, has prompted women to defy the authorities.
In April, Ahmad Reza Radan, the national police head, unveiled a “smart” initiative that utilized surveillance cameras to identify and penalize women who did not adhere to the dress code, which requires them to cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothing in public. Radan issued warnings about legal consequences for repeat offenders, impounding vehicles with female passengers not wearing hijabs, and even closing down businesses that failed to enforce the dress code.
However, instead of compliance, Radan’s announcement sparked a wave of mockery on social media. Women from all over the country shared images and videos of themselves in public spaces without wearing hijabs, using hashtags and tweets to express their defiance.
