Violence Against Women in Iran Reaches New Height
Maral Hamzehloo
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a global concern; however, recent evidence suggests an intensifying pattern in the Iranian context. According to data from the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), at least 93 women were reportedly killed in femicide cases during the first six months of 2024. In 2023, 149 such killings were documented, representing an average of nearly one every two days. Human rights observers caution that these figures likely underrepresent the actual prevalence, given limited reporting mechanisms, state censorship, and the broader climate of social stigma that discourages disclosure.
The roots of Iran’s femicide crisis lie not only in social norms but also in legal statutes that critics argue institutionalize gender-based discrimination. Article 301 of the Islamic Penal Code allows reduced punishment for fathers or paternal grandfathers who kill their daughters or granddaughters, categorizing such acts as quasi-legitimate under certain familial justifications. Article 630 further enables a husband to escape criminal liability if he claims he witnessed his wife committing adultery. This defense does not require external verification under current legal interpretations. These laws were established following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and reflect the state’s longstanding position on male guardianship and familial authority. They align with jurisprudential interpretations that prioritize notions of family honor and male control over female conduct.
Beyond the absence of protective legislation, structural barriers persist for women experiencing violence. According to the Stimson Center report Iran Under Fire Amid New Restrictions on Women’s Rights, Iran still has no stand-alone law criminalizing domestic violence. Legal provisions for protective orders are either nonexistent or inconsistently applied. Shelters are limited in number, lack sustainable funding, and in some cases are targeted for closure by local authorities. Women who flee abusive households often face legal accusations of marital disobedience, particularly under Article 1108 of the Civil Code, which mandates female obedience in marital relations.
The legal age for marriage is another significant concern. Iranian law permits girls to marry at 13, and with judicial consent, even earlier. According to children’s rights advocates, this policy exposes minors to heightened risks of abuse, early childbirth, and educational disruption. These issues are exacerbated in rural and conservative regions where child marriage remains both culturally sanctioned and economically incentivized.
Importantly, the impact of these legal and social dynamics is not evenly distributed. Women from ethnic minority groups, including Baluch, Kurdish, and Afghan communities, often encounter compounded forms of discrimination. In provinces such as Sistan and Baluchestan or Kurdistan, access to legal aid, healthcare, and social services is particularly scarce. Reports indicate that minority women are disproportionately affected by poverty, surveillance, and restricted mobility. These overlapping challenges heighten their vulnerability to both state violence and interpersonal abuse.
Despite these constraints, a resilient civil society persists. Activists and grassroots organizations across Iran continue to document cases of femicide, provide legal aid to survivors, and advocate for accountability within the bounds of what is legally and politically feasible. These groups often operate under threat of arrest, internet censorship, and political surveillance. Yet their work remains a critical part of the broader human rights landscape within the country.
While Iran is party to international treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the practical implementation of these commitments remains inconsistent. The long-discussed Protection of Women Against Violence bill has yet to be enacted in a comprehensive and legally binding form. Previous drafts have been criticized for omitting key protections, such as criminalizing marital rape or clearly defining domestic violence. Calls from United Nations bodies to harmonize Iran’s domestic laws with international standards, particularly regarding the legal age of marriage and the criminalization of gender-based violence, have not led to substantive legal transformation.
