Unveiling the Impacts of Islamic Regulations and the Limitations of Islamic Feminism: Experiences of Women from Iran

In Iran, strict Islamic regulations significantly impact women’s lives, imposing legal and social restrictions that limit personal freedoms and exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities. While Islamic feminism focuses on cultural and religious recognition, it may neglect pressing issues and exclude non-Muslim women. This qualitative study that included semi-structured interviews with fifteen Iranian women who had recently migrated to Australia and of diverse religious identities focussed on how gender dynamics in Iran contribute to gender (in)equality. The interview questions addressed various aspects, including personal backgrounds, family dynamics, societal treatment, cultural norms, and self-perceptions. The findings revealed that the compulsory hijab and other enforced traditions restricted freedoms, subjected women to scrutiny, and caused emotional distress. Societal judgment and lack of support further contributed to an environment where women felt unsafe and vulnerable to harassment. Importantly, this article applies an inclusive feminist theoretical framework (Zack, 2005) that transcends religious and cultural constraints, respecting both Islam and feminism. Through the women’s experiences, this feminist approach is applied to understand and reveal the limitations that Islamic feminism can have for some Iranian women.