WANA (Jun 08) – As the phenomenon of unveiling and non-traditional dress becomes more widespread in Iranian society, concerns are growing over its impact on women’s safety. Iranian social and law enforcement experts warn that, despite the police’s preventive measures, women who dress outside the conventional norms remain more vulnerable to street harassment, assault, and even sexual violence.

 

Since 2018—and especially following the mass protests of 2022 against compulsory veiling—the issue of women’s dress has returned to the forefront of Iran’s social debates. In this context, any official or police response to women’s appearance is no longer viewed merely as a means of preserving public order or morality, but increasingly as a clash with the lifestyle and values of the younger generation.

 

Improper veiling is no longer just a fringe issue or an act of individual defiance; it has become part of everyday life for a significant segment of the youth, particularly in Iran’s major cities.

Iranian women walk in a street in Tehran, Iran December, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Global studies indicate that in countries with more liberal dress codes, women dressed in more attention-drawing ways often report higher rates of sexual harassment and assault. However, researchers emphasize that clothing is just one of many factors influencing sexual violence. A lack of sexual education, weak deterrent laws, and patriarchal social attitudes all play major roles.

 

For instance, a 2021 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that in some European countries with liberal dress cultures, about 60% of women had experienced some form of sexual harassment. However, the report also notes that in countries like Sweden and Norway—where liberal dress is coupled with strict educational and legal policies—sexual violence rates are relatively lower.

 

In this light, some Iranian sociologists argue that the growing presence of non-traditional dress in public spaces—particularly when large segments of society still lack sexual literacy and emotional regulation skills—could lead to a form of “latent social conflict.” This conflict often manifests as verbal or psychological harassment in the streets.

Iranian women walk in a street in Tehran, Iran December, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

President’s Reaction to Improper Dress and Body Display

In a recent meeting attended by President Pezeshkian, images of women in non-traditional attire were shown. The president expressed deep regret and called for action to address what he described as a social abnormality, issuing directives to relevant authorities.

 

This was President Pezeshkian’s first public response to the issue of veiling and dress—an event that, according to observers, signals the administration’s sensitivity to the return of cultural discourses reminiscent of past decades.

 

However, contrary to some speculation, the government spokesperson has emphasized that “a person’s clothing should not be used as a pretext to question their right to safety,” adding that law enforcement must prioritize action against harassers and perpetrators of violence over intervening in individuals’ dress choices.

Iran's police forces stand in a street amid the implementation of new hijab surveillance in Tehran, Iran, April 15, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Iran’s police forces stand in a street amid the implementation of new hijab surveillance in Tehran, Iran, April 15, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Police Response: Ensuring Safety for All or Reverting to Control?

Meanwhile, Iranian police have reiterated their duty to ensure the safety of all citizens—regardless of their clothing. Recent police operations aimed at cracking down on street thugs have been described as positive steps toward improving social safety.

 

Law enforcement officials highlight the role of individuals in preventing moral crimes and stress the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and avoiding behavior deemed socially disruptive. However, this perspective has drawn criticism from some sociologists, who argue it shifts institutional responsibility onto the victims and amounts to blaming women for the violence they endure.

Iranian women walk in a street in Tehran, Iran December, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

A police source told reporters, “We take action against assailants and harassers without hesitation, but crime prevention requires public cooperation and adherence to police advice.”

 

The issue of women’s safety in Iran, particularly amid shifting norms around dress, appears to go beyond the simplistic veil/unveil dichotomy.

 

Analysts warn that if policymakers treat women’s clothing as the primary or sole cause of insecurity, they risk ignoring the deeper roots of violence—and may, in fact, worsen the situation by fostering a climate of “double guilt,” where women are not only harassed but also blamed for provoking it. In such an atmosphere, public spaces risk becoming not safer, but more dangerous and unequal for women.