The Systematic Oppression of Women by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Its Influence Across the Shia Crescent and Beyond
Today, We Believe In Israel unveils a critical new report: The Systematic Oppression of Women by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Its Influence Across the Shia Crescent and Beyond. This publication does more than document the appalling state of women’s rights under the Islamic Republic; it explores the broader ramifications of Iran’s gender repression and how its ideology has seeped into the fabric of neighbouring societies—weaponising its influence to transform entire communities.
Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has meticulously crafted a state-led apparatus of control aimed squarely at women, subjecting them to a regime that systematically denies them fundamental freedoms, choices, and protections. But this oppression is not confined to Iran. As our report details, Iran’s model of control has been effectively exported to places like Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen through proxies such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. These groups, far from merely being allies, are extensions of Tehran's agenda, enforcing regressive policies on women with chilling efficiency.
However, Iran’s ideological reach does not stop within the Shia Crescent. Its influence has seeped into Western discourse as well, repackaged as “cultural resistance” or “anti-imperialist” sentiment. In the UK and other Western nations, certain voices unwittingly amplify Iran’s worldview, normalising gender inequality under the guise of defending cultural authenticity. The Iranian regime has, quite astutely, framed its assault on women’s rights as a matter of “identity,” co-opting the language of cultural and political solidarity to propagate its oppressive doctrines beyond its borders.
This report calls on readers, policymakers, and human rights advocates alike to confront the grave threat posed by the exportation of Iran’s misogynistic policies. To ignore it is to allow an insidious erosion of the principles of equality and justice that underpin our society. We must not be duped by rhetoric that seeks to make repression palatable or culturally specific. The rights of women are universal, and any attempt to undermine them—whether in Iran, across the Shia Crescent, or here in the UK—must be met with unyielding resistance.
We urge all those who cherish the values of freedom, equality, and human dignity to read this report and join us in standing against the tide of oppression emanating from Tehran.
