The Image of WomenThe Image of Women

By: Amber Houck By: Amber Houck & John Fawcett& John Fawcett

These graphic novels begin just These graphic novels begin just after the Islamic Revolution and after the Islamic Revolution and

continue through the Iranian-continue through the Iranian-Iraqi War (1980-1988). They Iraqi War (1980-1988). They

reveal the corrupt Iranian reveal the corrupt Iranian government and effects of war. government and effects of war. However, the most important However, the most important

piece that these novels exploit piece that these novels exploit is the oppression of the women is the oppression of the women

in Iran. in Iran.

The Iranian Government forces all women to wear

veils or chadors (full length garments).

“Women’s hair emanates rays that excite men”

(Satrapi 74) and the loose clothing helps hide a

woman’s form.

Women in the the United States have the privilege to wear the garments that they

choose. Even the most provocative outfits are

allowed. The negative effect of this is the portrayal of

women as sex objects, but America is the land of the

free.

There are two versions of women in Iran:

The Fundamentalist Woman:

The Modern Woman:

Showed opposition to the regime by allowing a few

strands of hair show. Covering up physical

appearance by the bare minimum.

Supported the repressive ideals and religious beliefs or was too afraid to show any type of opposition.

Women in Iran had their individual expression and freedoms repressed. They could not listen to western music or study western art.

Anything remotely deviating from their strict

culture was banned, especially Western

influences.

In the U.S. women are free to express

themselves in any circumstance. It is

actually propagated to be your own person and not conform to society. They

are free to listen and study whatever appeals

to them.

Women are prohibited from becoming president or attaining any high official government position. “The President must come from among the religious

and political statesmen (rejal)” (Article 115). The word rejal

literally means men of high achievement.

Currently in the U.S more and more women are becoming judges and

attaining government positions. Hilary Clinton is one of the top democratic

candidates for President.

Women are in complete subjugation by their husbands.

Women cannot leave home without permission. A husband

can ban his wife from any profession and has the right to

divorce his wife at any time with no notification.

In the U.S women who are married have no limits or

restraints. They are free to leave at any time. A mutual agreement between spouses has to be reached in order to

have a divorce.

Iran’s constitution says a woman’s life is worth half of a man’s. A convicted man who

murdered a woman is subject to execution only after the payment of "Deyeh" by the family of the

victim. "Deyeh" is a sum of money that the victim's family has to pay to the murderers

family for the physical damages, dismemberment, or death of the

assailant.

A woman’s life and a man’s life are Constitutionally equal and are punished equally. If a man kills a woman in the U.S. it is considered a heinous crime against humanity, and the

family of the victim can receive compensation.

Iran’s penal code states that married offenders (adulterers) are

punished by stoning. However, men are buried to their waste while women are buried up to their neck. If they are able to

escape, they are free. It is obvious that the punishment is

unequal.

Most punishments in the U.S are equal for both

genders.

Women who participated in demonstrations or showed any

opposition towards the government or cultural ideals were mobbed and

beaten.

In the U.S. everyone including women have the freedom to assemble and the freedom of speech. Women can protest and hold demonstrations on any issue.

Facts and Figures• Tens of thousands of women have been executed in Iran since

1979, when the Mullahs took power. • The worst kinds of torture are inflicted upon woman prisoners

who oppose the regime. These include repeated sexual assaults and amputation of body parts.

• Girls between ages 10 to 17 are the prime victims of sexual slavery in Iran. In Tehran alone, 4000 street girls roam the city

on daily basis and are subjected to sexual and physical violence.

• Women and girls bare the brunt of Iran's poor economic conditions. 700,000 children, aged 10 to 14, work in black

labor market in Iran.• At least 22 women have been sentenced to stoning or stoned

to death during Khatami's tenure*All facts derived from www.wfafi.org

ConclusionTo this day women in Iran are being oppressed. Iranian women have no individual freedoms. There is hope,

however, there are many organizations that are trying to promote women's

rights. Additionally, women in Iran are fighting their oppressors and

endeavoring to instigate change in their male dominated society.