Iran’s recent announcement to open a “Clinic for Quitting Hijab Removal” is a disturbing escalation of the country’s ongoing repression of women. This so-called “treatment center,” which claims to offer “scientific and psychological treatment” for women who defy the mandatory hijab law, is part of a broader crackdown on dissent. The Iranian government’s move to force women into compliance with the hijab law through coercion and psychological manipulation reveals the lengths to which the regime will go to maintain its control over women’s bodies and societal roles.
Pathologizing Defiance
The Iranian government, led by the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has framed the new clinic as a facility to help women who “refuse” to comply with the hijab law. The clinic, to be supervised by Mehri Talebi Darestani, aims to “treat” women who are resisting this enforced dress code, particularly targeting teenage girls, young adults, and those seeking a “social and Islamic identity.” Darestani’s remarks about the clinic’s objectives clearly indicate that the regime views non-compliance with the hijab as a psychological problem that needs correction, rather than a political stance or human right.
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This initiative is framed as voluntary, but the coercive nature of the regime’s tactics cannot be ignored. Women who have been caught defying the dress code face harsh punishment, and with the establishment of this clinic, they may be subjected to forced psychological treatment, underscoring the deeply oppressive nature of the initiative.
The Fight for Freedom
The “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, which gained momentum after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 while in the custody of Iran’s morality police, remains a powerful symbol of resistance against the hijab laws. The movement has sparked widespread protests, with women across Iran uniting to demand their right to choose how they dress, how they live, and how they express themselves.
The clinic’s opening comes in the wake of a growing tide of women rebelling against the regime’s oppressive mandates. The defiance against forced hijab has become a core issue in the fight for women’s rights in Iran. The regime, in response, has resorted to pathologizing this dissent, attempting to delegitimize the movement by framing its opponents as mentally unstable.
The Abuse of Mental Health Institutions
In a deeply troubling move, the Iranian government has increasingly used mental health institutions as a tool for silencing opposition. Women who protest the hijab law are often labeled as mentally ill and sent for “treatment.” This was seen recently when a female university student, Ahoo Daryaei, stripped off her clothing in a bold protest against the regime’s dress code enforcement. Instead of addressing her protest, the government detained her and transferred her to a psychological center, falsely branding her as mentally unstable.
This tactic is not new. Since the 2022 protests, numerous women who have posted images of themselves without the hijab or openly defied the regime have been detained, often sent to psychiatric facilities for “treatment.” Human rights groups have condemned this manipulation of mental health diagnoses, calling it an abusive tactic aimed at delegitimizing and punishing political dissent.
Clear Violation of Ethics
The announcement of the clinic has sparked outrage from human rights activists and mental health professionals alike. Iranian human rights lawyer Hossein Raeesi condemned the establishment of the clinic, calling it “neither Islamic nor consistent with Iranian law.” Sima Sabet, a UK-based Iranian journalist, characterized the initiative as “shameful,” describing the move as an attempt to “cure” women for simply defying the ruling ideology.
Iran’s psychiatric community has also responded critically to the government’s manipulation of mental health practices. In 2023, four Iranian psychiatric associations issued a joint statement condemning the use of unscientific diagnoses, such as “anti-family personality disorder,” as a pretext for punishing hijab protestors. The associations decried the government’s actions as violations of professional ethics and a breach of the Iranian Professional Ethics Charter for Psychiatry, which prohibits discrimination based on gender, religion, or ethnicity.
The Role of Mehri Talebi Darestani
Mehri Talebi Darestani, the head of the Women and Family Department of the Tehran Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, is the key figure behind the establishment of the clinic. Darestani has long been a supporter of strict religious laws, including child marriage, which has sparked controversy. Her appointment to oversee the hijab enforcement clinic has been criticized, particularly after she was dismissed from a previous post in 2023 under unclear circumstances.
Darestani’s leadership, along with her support for policies that curb women’s rights, exemplifies the deeply conservative, patriarchal nature of the Iranian government. Her handling of this new clinic could be seen as an extension of the government’s larger strategy of controlling women’s rights through state-sanctioned mechanisms.
International Reactions
Iran’s increasing repression of women, especially through institutions that force psychological “treatment” for political dissent, is drawing widespread international condemnation. Global human rights organizations have labeled Iran’s actions as a clear violation of fundamental freedoms. The regime’s continued use of psychiatric institutions to target opponents of the hijab law has raised alarms about the state’s growing authoritarianism and disregard for international human rights standards.
As tensions rise both within Iran and on the global stage, the government’s treatment of women who defy the hijab law only serves to deepen its isolation. The international community continues to watch Iran’s treatment of women as a critical human rights issue, with many calling for further sanctions and diplomatic pressure to end the state-sponsored abuse.
A Dangerous Precedent for Women’s Rights in Iran
The establishment of a clinic dedicated to “curing” women of their refusal to wear the hijab is not just a violation of personal freedoms; it is a direct assault on women’s autonomy. By labeling women who oppose the hijab as mentally unstable, the Iranian government seeks to erase their voices and marginalize their demands for equality. This clinic, like other authoritarian tactics used by the regime, exemplifies the lengths to which Iran is willing to go to maintain control over its citizens.
In the face of mounting international pressure and domestic resistance, the Iranian regime’s response to the hijab protests highlights a crucial turning point in the struggle for women’s rights in Iran. The world must continue to stand in solidarity with Iranian women fighting for their basic freedoms, and demand an end to these oppressive measures.