Abstract
Why are Iranian hardliners pushing for even stricter hijab laws as a reaction to the momentous events of Fall 2022 known as the Women, Life, Freedom movement? Why is the government considering steep economic penalties as punishment despite widespread calls from within to end compulsory hijab? Finally, how does the emphasis on financial penalties signal a broader shift in the state’s approach to social control, particularly over women’s bodies? This Brief argues that the proposed new hijab law reflects the recognition that women’s economic advancements have enhanced their social presence and empowered them to challenge the state’s desired social order and values—yet, despite these gains, women remain particularly vulnerable to economic hardship, exacerbated by the impact of U.S. economic sanctions. The bill exploits these vulnerabilities, leveraging the risk of poverty and unemployment to reinforce the regime’s social order. By linking citizens’ economic and social rights to adherence to prescribed norms, the bill transforms the decision to wear the hijab from a personal choice into an economic necessity