- Since times immemorial, women have endured double standards and different yardsticks in society despite being the flagbearers of humanity to sustain perennially by enjoying the power of childbearing. Women are always considered the weaker sex – especially over matters concerning the demonstration of physical strength – but have shown enough spunk, audacity, nerve, and determination to thwart efforts at further submission. It does not help that society is still misogynistic and the patriarchal mindset so deeply entrenched hasn’t given way to acceptance of women as equal partners. Yes, the modern-day has made some progress vis-à-vis gender equality, parity, impartial treatment, and extending level playing fields for talented women.
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- However, women have a long way to traverse to be counted at par with their male counterparts is not lost on the global community wishing to witness parity for both sexes. It is unfathomable that some of the countries continue to treat women as second-class citizens depriving legitimate rights, freedom, independence, and treatment extended to men. Umpteen instances of rights activists taking cudgel on behalf of their fraternity only further reaffirm how much oppression women must endure even now when certain anachronistic and misogynistic viewpoints rule the roost. Voices of reason being muzzled is a common phenomenon witnessed around the world, more prominently in some of the still medieval regimes hell-bent on suppression of saner voices.
- Against this backdrop, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize given to Iranian rights activist Narges Mohammadi is not only most welcome but also provides much-needed heft to those fighting for change in exceptionally dangerous circumstances. As you are aware, Mohammadi has long campaigned for women’s rights, for gender justice, and against the death penalty in Iran. No surprise that she’s currently in prison. Like her mentor, Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, she has faced persecution from the Iranian regime. To her credit, despite her incarceration, Mohammadi organized protests that were part of the anti-hijab demonstrations that rocked Iran last year.
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- Ironically, Mohammadi’s Nobel recognition comes on the heels of the first anniversary of those demonstrations and is not lost on anyone. However, since then the Iranian regime has only tightened restrictions, recently passing a new law that imposes harsher penalties on women who breach hijab rules. This is a self-goal for the Iranian state. Had the regime allowed women to lead full normal lives – Iranian women’s labor force participation is only 15.7% – Iran, given its legacy of education and regional cultural influence, could have been a great Middle Eastern power. The Nobel Committee says it hopes Iran will release Mohammadi before the prize ceremony. That’s unlikely. But even in her absence, the message will ring loud and clear.
