Protests by women, school girls and university students are gaining in momentum in Iran. uprisings began following death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on 16th of September at the hands of Iran's morality police. She became instant martyr after she took off her headscarf and showed her hair in public. Her death ignited whole series of demonstrations throughout Iran. Hundreds of thousands of women have replicated Ms Amini's actions to openly send message to Iran's leaders. They took off their headscarves en masse in streets, on buses and in schools. Many burnt their hair coverings and cut their hair in public. They have marched in streets chanting their rallying cry of "women, life, freedom".
latest uprising in Iran is the result of decades of pent-up fury at Iran's regime. Women are tired of being forced to cover their hair. It became obligatory in April 1983 for them to do so. Punishments for violating this law range from financial penalties to imprisonment. death of 16-year-old Nika Shakarami last week has further fuelled intensity of protests. Hundreds more have died in past month at hands of authorities. Iranian professor said hair coverings were the tip of iceberg. She said: "There's a lot of compulsion in Iranian culture, and so demand is freedom. The current protests… are engaging students… who are ready to live life freely. They're done with death and grief and mourning."
