On 2 November, Ahoo, a female student from Tehran’s Science and Research University removed her clothes on campus in protest to being harassed by security forces over mandatory hijab rules. She was violently beaten, arrested and reportedly transferred to a psychiatric ward, labelled mentally ill. This is not a new tactic nor is shaming women’s bodies to silence dissent.
On 8 November, FEMEN and One Law for All called for a Global Day of Action to defend Ahoo Daryaei and call for her immediate release. Women were asked to recreate images of Ahoo Daryaei’s brave protest and upload the images to social media with #AhooDaryaei #آهودریایی #StudentofScienceResearch.
FEMEN’s Jenny Wenhammar, co-organiser of the November 8 Day of Action said: ‘This is what I call brave. More powerful than a bomb. She is the new symbol of Iran. Iranian resistance against the Islamic regime and women’s revolution.’
Solidarity actions were held in various cities, including France, Germany, UK, Brazil, Sweden and the Netherlands with women using the hashtag #AhooDaryaei #آهودریایی to show their support. Some of the actions can be seen here,
In London, the protest was MCed by Victoria Gugenheim who also bodypainted the women with messages such as ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ and ‘AhooDaryaei.’ Women’s rights campaigners, including from Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, FiLiA, Southall Black Sisters, Women’s Place and Campaign Against Execution London gathered at Piccadilly Circus to demand her freedom. Several women at the protest wore bras and underwear similar to Ahoo’s, including Maryam Namazie, Pragna Patel, Suzan, Veiled Rose and Victoria Gugenheim. Victoria sang and recited a poem for #MahsaAmini, Monica Vinoly played the violin, and Nehanda sang a song about women’s revolution.
Photos available here.
The protest centred around women defiantly dressed as Ahoo Daryaei was in her underwear, rightly unapologetic and unashamed of their bodies in solidarity with Ahoo and the millions of women shamed and brutalised by the Islamic regime of Iran.
Veiled Rose, a British Bengali Ex-Muslim explained: ‘We see the need to fight collectively and raise our voices. We see that they can pick us apart if we stay silent and alone, but when we protest and organise collectively, when we refuse to be shamed, we take our power back.’ Nazreen Bibi, a British Pakistani Ex-Muslim held a placard with the slogan of the Pakistani women’s march ‘mere jism meri marzi’ (my body my choice).
Selma Taha, Executive Director of Southall Black Sisters said: Ahoo’s brave act of defiance against a repressive system resonates deeply with all of us fighting against the patriarchal control over women’s lives and is an inspiration to women everywhere who face repression. Ahoo’s courage is not just her own; it’s a stand for the fundamental rights and dignity of all women who seek to live freely, without fear of persecution or silencing for their choices.’
In her speech, Maryam Namazie, the co-organiser of the day of action said: Ahoo’s stripping is the crux of the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution, which is not just about the hijab. The hair is an extension of the body. Women’s bodies are not shameful. Shame is not between a women’s legs or within her breasts. As Gisele Pelicot said in her mass rape trial, ‘Shame must change sides.’ It is the Islamic regime of Iran, misogynists and patriarchs that should be ashamed, not Ahoo. The problem is not with women’s bodies; the problem is the deep-seated misogyny.’
Sisters Salon, a women’s rights organisation based in Brighton were out in support on the day too. In the Netherlands, Adelheid Roosen, of Female Economy, took to the streets and walked calmly in her underwear recreating Ahoo Daryaei’s protest. Posting on Instagram, she said: ‘Your courage is groundbreaking. We stand behind you. You are beautifully, unapologetically you. Adelheid in solidarity with our sisters in #Iran #USA #Afghanistan, and around the world who are not free.’
In a heartfelt video, Dutch actress and writer Nazmiye Oral dressed in her underwear as Ahoo was, declared: ‘In solidarity with my sisters whose mere existence in the public eye is an act of revolution, you’re not crazy. Your rage is just and courageous. You are not alone.’
Bengali writer and activist Jannatun Nayeem Prity took to Facebook stating: ‘Your body is your choice. That’s not a property to the state, society or the government. From Bangladesh and France to my sisters in Iran.’
Pakistani Ex-Muslim Activist Areesha Babar, a science student herself in Paediatric Cardiac Surgery , uploaded a video in her underwear in solidarity with Ahoo saying ‘Islamists you are obsessed and mad about blasphemy and apostasy; you kill for it. It is you who is mad; Ahoo is not.’ The video very aptly has rap music with the slogan from the Pakistani Aurat March ‘Meri Jism Meri Marzi’ (My body, my rights).
FEMEN Brazil held a protest in solidarity with Ahoo, saying ‘Do not hold your breath anymore. Express yourself, in solidarity with Ahoo and #IranianWomen who are detained for a mere wish and expression of bodily autonomy!! Free Iran! Free Ahoo!’
In Stockholm a group of activists fighting to free Tomaj Salehi post a video in solidarity with Ahoo demanding her freedom, calling for ‘Woman, Life, Freedom.’
Pragna Patel of Project Resist said: ‘Globally a war is being waged against women – from Iran, Afghanistan to the post-Dobbs USA now under Trump and his Project 2025 agenda. On Friday 8 November, I stood in solidarity with my brave sisters from Iran and elsewhere to mourn the detention and most likely torture of Ahoo Daryaei, and to lend my voice to the growing movement for the liberation of Iranian women whose bodies have become instruments of resistance.’
The International Day of Action was a huge success, as it brought together women and activists in a show of solidarity for Ahoo Daryaei and for the women of Iran.
Coverage of the day included the following media reports:
Ahoo Daryaei’ye Destek İçin Çıplak Protesto, Haber Merkezi, 15 November 2024
اعتراض عریان میدان یک جنگ – سخنرانی مریم نمازی, Journal, 9 November 2024
در حمایت از «دختر دانشکده علوم و تحقیقات» در لندن, BBC Persian, 9 November 2024
Women strip in Piccadilly Circus standing in solidarity with Iranian student Ahoo Daryaei who was detained by morality police, Newsflare, 8 November 2024
Piccadilly Circus, London, UK. 8th Nov 2024. Protesters strip off in support of Iranian doctoral student Ahoo Daryaei detained after protesting Iran’s strict hijab laws, Alamy, 8 November 2024
Ahoo Daryaei, il nuovo volto di Donna Vita Libertà, MicroMega, 8 November 2024
Ahoo Daryaei: Ein Schrei aus Iran, Emma, 8 November 2024
Iran. Ahou Daryaei, la défiance au service de la liberté, Charlie Hebdo, 5 November 2024
Day Of Action In Support Of Iranian Woman & Sikh Courts, TPQ, 5 November 2024