Biography
Atefeh Batyari (abatyari@ut.ac.ir) holds a PhD in Criminology from the University of Tehran. She has studied vulnerable groups, especially women. The results of her studies have been published into Persian and English in various journals. Her works are indexed at https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4169-0565
Abstract
The mandatory hijab in Iran serves as a symbol of social control over women, leading to individual and everyday forms of resistance. This article employs James Scott’s theory of “everyday resistance” alongside Hannah Arendt’s concept of “individuality” to explore why these acts of resistance remain fragmented and largely ineffective. The analysis reveals that the severe repression of protests and the imposition of a passive individuality by the Islamic Republic of Iran hinder the formation of collective action and effective solidarity among women. A firsthand account witnessed by the author describes a violent confrontation between the Gasht-eErshad (morality police) and a woman without the mandatory hijab, highlighting the absence of collective support from bystanders. Ultimately, this article emphasizes the need to strengthen collective solidarity to achieve more effective resistance by women.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Batyari, Atefeh (2025) "Everyday Resistance Against the Mandatory Hijab and the Lack of Collective Solidarity in Iran," Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence: Vol. 10: Iss. 4, Article 3. https://doi.org/10.23860/dignity.2025.10.04.03
Included in
Inequality and Stratification Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Social Justice Commons, Women's Studies Commons