NEWS: On September 13, 2022, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, Zhina Amini (Mahsa Amini), was arrested in Tehran, Iran, by the "morality police" for not adhering to the country's conservative dress code for women, a full hijab; in Zhina's case, she apparently was not wearing the headscarf (or not wearing it "completely"). Three days later, she died in custody in what eyewitnesses who were detained with Zhina said was caused by severe beating, backed up by leaked medical scans that pointed to cerebral hemorrhage and stroke as the underlying causes. Meanwhile, the "morality police" aka the Tehran Guidance Patrol, claimed she died of a heart attack.
We at SistersGeographic, like the rest of the planet, have heavy hearts about this horrible, inexcusable tragedy. The one silver lining is that Zhina's spirit lives on and inspires, something that is clear by the numerous protests that erupted across Iran, and indeed the world, as a result of this heinous crime, which is certainly not an isolated one. Zhina, our hearts are with you and your loved ones, and may your memory help us all do a better job of ensuring such senseless violence does not repeat itself.
NEWS: On May 7, 2022, the Taliban announced something unconscionable: all females in Afghanistan must be covered head-to-toe. One of our writers has written a poem dedicated to all these girls and women. Click here to read.