Sexual exploitation of women and girls in a free Iran

Prohibition of sexual exploitation of women and girls in a free Iran

A look at Articles 8 and 12 of the NCRI Plan on Women’s Rights and Freedoms

Examining Articles 8 and 12 of the National Council of Resistance of Iran’s Plan on Women’s Freedoms and Rights, we address critical issues related to the legal age of marriage and the prevention of sexual exploitation.

Article 8: Freedom to choose a spouse and to marry

Article 8 emphasizes complete freedom in choosing a spouse and in marriage. A marriage may only be entered into and officially registered with the mutual consent of both parties. Importantly, marriage before reaching the legal age is strictly prohibited. In addition, any form of coercion or pressure on women in family life is prohibited.

Article 12: Prohibition of sexual exploitation

Article 12 clearly prohibits any form of sexual exploitation of women under any pretext. It calls for the abolition of customs, laws and regulations that allow parents, guardians or others to marry or give away girls or women for any other reason.

The legal marriage age for girls in Iran

According to Article 1041 of the Civil Code, the legal age of marriage for girls is 13. However, there is a disturbing caveat: “The marriage of a girl before she has reached the full age of 13 years shall require the permission of the guardian, if the court deems it expedient.” This legal loophole allows fathers and state judges to potentially subject girls to sexual exploitation and violence under the guise of expediency.

Shockingly, there are cases where girls are forced into marriage even before they reach that age. Some Iranian girls are punished as early as nine years old.

The root causes of these problems – early and forced marriages, child brides and sexual exploitation – lie in existing laws that allow such practices. Moreover, perpetrators who abuse women and girls often go unpunished.

This grim reality has persisted throughout the 44-year rule of the Mullah regime, surpassing even the oppressive era of the Shah’s dictatorship.

Forced marriage: an example of patriarchal backwardness

Mullahs’ laws in Iran give fathers and paternal grandfathers the power to force girls into marriage, while denying mothers the right to intervene in their children’s fate. This stark inequality reflects the oppressive nature of the regime.

In addition to these misogynistic laws, families are often forced to sacrifice their daughters because of widespread poverty as a result of the regime’s corruption and economic mismanagement. Government experts attribute the high rate of child marriages to financial difficulties. Usually, the child’s father or guardian demands money from the groom’s family to allow them to marry off their daughters.

Iran’s constitution and civil law further exacerbate the problem by defining women and girls as the “honor” of their fathers and husbands, rather than recognizing them as independent people. Tragically, after a daughter is murdered, other women in the family often face double violence if they dare to seek justice. Mona Heydari, a victim of the regime’s exploitative policies, suffered a brutal fate in February 2022, as a forced marriage left her at the mercy of a husband who viewed her as his property.

Prohibition of sexual exploitation of women in free Iran

Article 12 of the Women’s Rights and Freedoms Plan clearly prohibits any form of sexual exploitation of women. However, honour killings remain a dire consequence of sexual abuse disguised as marriage, particularly when men exercise dominance over their families. Victims often suffer in silence as societal blame and secrecy perpetuate the cycle of violence. Spousal abuse, while representing only a fraction of all violence against women, remains a pressing problem.

Moreover, violence against women extends beyond the private sphere. Daily incidents on the streets – under the guise of enforcing hijab rules – and the disrespect shown by government officials in public and in detention centers reveal a broader pattern of cruelty. State-sanctioned violence directly encourages spousal abuse.

The other side of women’s rights and freedoms

Articles 8 and 12 of the Plan for the Rights and Freedoms of Iranian Women serve as a political expression of the actual status of Iranian women. These women are the driving force behind the democratic revolution and are resisting Khamenei’s archaic view that restricts them to domestic roles.

Since the first days of the regime’s rule, tens of thousands of women – both those who sacrificed their lives and those who were imprisoned as members of the PMOI – have been trailblazers carrying the torch of truth. Their unwavering commitment continues, as demonstrated by the 2022 uprising that drew admiration around the world. The day is approaching when these knowledgeable and courageous women and girls will play a crucial role in overthrowing the mullahs.