Hijab, the traditional head covering worn by Muslim women for modesty for centuries, have been a subject of controversy in recent times in Iran. In the 1920s, a few women started to appear unveiled. Under Reza Shah, it was discouraged and then banned in 1936 for five years. Under Reza Shah's successor, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, hijab was considered "backward" and rarely worn by upper and middle-class people. Consequently, it became a symbol of opposition to the shah in 1970s, and was worn by women (educated, middle and upper class) who previously would have been unveiled.
After the 1979 Iranian Revolution and overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty, veiling again was encouraged, and in 1981 the covering of hair and wearing of loose-fitting clothing covering all but hands and face was made legally mandatory for women. Since the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, hijab has again become a political symbol, this time of opposition to the Islamic Republic, and defiance of the law by younger women has been observed "in towns and cities" and been called "too widespread to contain and too pervasive to reverse". As of April 2023, however, the Islamic Republic has vowed to enforce the "divine decree" of the hijab.
Through the order of minister of industry, mining and commerce Hijab was made tax exempt in 2023, and IRGC Basij began permanent exhibition called "Hijab city" in Tehran and Isfahan cities. In August 2023, Etemad reported veil Chador could have possibly become mandatory for women in the universities.
The UN has called the Iranian government gender apartheid. In September 2023, the Iranian government opened a public mobile app website for Monitors (ordinary people and/or its informant agents) to report women that don't wear full hijab.
For university students, talking with the opposite sex was criminalized, as was wearing perfume.
Subway trains were sex segregated in September 2023.
Waves of Iranian women removing their Hijab has been likened to the fall of the Berlin wall.
Wearing clothes that don't cover the neck or thigh or showing one's ankles or forearm is considered illegal.
Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance
In 2023, the Minister of Islamic Culture and Guidance announced they have a new The Bureau of Chastity Living, it is to parallel work to country's public culture council.
Law enforcement command
Facial recognition cameras, a product of Bosch, were deployed for use. In the 2023 law business places that are reported to not force women hijab receive fine up to %10 percent annual gross profit. A uniform was issued for waitresses in entire city of Mashhad.
The fines are withdrawn from the person's bank account by the government.
In a move interpreted as a declaration of war against the people the government made it so doctors can't visit unveiled females.
Municipality in Tehran city in August 2023 hired 400 hijab guards (hijabban) they report and then make arrest. In August 2023, law minor girls who don't wear hijab can't go to school, aren't allowed to be hired in the future, can't get a passport, can't have a mobile phone, can't have a bank account, or internet access.
In August 2023, Iranian MPs have voted to review a controversial hijab law behind closed doors, potentially avoiding public debate. The proposed "Hijab and Chastity Bill" would impose stricter penalties on women not wearing headscarves, prompted by protests over the death of a woman in custody. The decision to use Article 85 of Iran's constitution allows for a three to five-year trial period, pending approval from the powerful Council of Guardians.
Penalties
Types
"Hijab" can mean Islamic modest dress in general. It can also mean covering of the head. Common styles for women in Iran that follow the law covering the head, the hair, arms, legs and ankles and hide the body shapes are: chador—this is a traditionally black covering, a long piece of black cloth covering their whole body from head to ankles and "is generally used by the most religious women especially in rural areas or in the most devout cities"; Other hijab are: shawl, foulard, pashmina, scarf, covering body shape, manteau (a long coat), cardigan, long shirt.