Iran: Authorities increase social pressure on women not wearing hijab

An increasing number of women in Iran are defying the mandatory hijab law. In response, hardliners are turning more to social pressure rather than the morality police on the streets. Since the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 and the subsequent wave of protests, Iran's government has struggled to enforce the mandatory veil law. Many women have refused to comply, particularly in urban areas. Hardline elements within the government are now pushing for a new approach: rather than visible police enforcement, the regime seeks to use social shaming, workplace sanctions, and pressure from religious institutions. This shift reflects the government's difficulty in maintaining the hijab obligation through direct coercion after the massive backlash that followed the crackdown on protests in 2022 and 2023. International human rights organizations continue to criticize Iran for the ongoing restrictions on women's freedoms.