Iranian generation defines itself by protest and defiance
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In Iran, a generation coming of age since the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests is refusing to accept the status quo.
The protests began after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, died in custody of the morality police in Tehran. Amini’s death sparked widespread demonstrations across Iran, with protesters chanting “Woman, Life, Freedom” and calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.
The Islamic Republic responded to the protests with force, arresting tens of thousands of people and issuing harsh punishments including executions. Human rights groups report over 550 people were killed during the uprising. Despite the crackdown, many Iranian women now openly defy mandatory hijab laws in public spaces like streets, universities, and transportation. This act of collective disobedience, born from the 2022 protests, continues despite legal and security risks.
In January 2026, further protests erupted over economic grievances, again featuring calls for the overthrow of the government and resulting in a violent response from authorities. This generation now carries the memories of multiple uprisings, building on the experiences of previous generations who protested in 1979, the 1980s, 1999, 2009, and 2019, and sees collective action as the path to political change.
