Iranian men don Hijabs to protest state-imposed dress codes for women
The Iranian Revolution of 1978 saw the rise of a theocracy in the country that now imposes stringent restrictions on the way people conduct themselves in society. In Iran, it is actually required by law for women to cover their hair in public by wearing a ‘hijab’ or headscarf. Those who fail to do so face strict penal action and can even be sent to jail.
Although Iranian women in 1979 had taken to the streets to protest against the stringent dress codes, they were unable to compel the government to repeal the law. Now after almost four decades, Iranian men are taking a stand against these rules by being part of a unique movement on social media called #meninhijab.
Many Iranian men are posting pictures of themselves wearing a headscarf with either the wife or a female relative whose head is uncovered as a mark of protest.
The #meninhijab movement was first started by a New York-based Iranian social activist and journalist called Masih Alinejad. She is also the brain behind the Facebook page My Stealthy Freedom which shares photos submitted by Iranian women defying authorities by going without the headscarf.
Check out some of the #meninhijab photos below:
