Dear Farnaz:

A short and very limited review about the unrest in Iran: the series of nationwide civil protests in 2019 & 2020 initially started because of a huge increase in fuel prices (50%- 200% ), but extended to be a political uprising by the Iranian Democracy Movement calling for the overthrow of the Islamic government. These were the most violent anti-government unrest since the Iranian/ Islamic Revolution of 1979. In efforts to crush the protests, the Islamic Iranian government shut down the internet nationwide and shot as many as 1,500 protesters dead from rooftops, helicopters and at close range.

The more recent wave of protests started July 15, 2021 in the Khuzestan province of Iran because of the (summer) water shortage. In Sept 2021, there were many protests in many cities and provinces by teachers, educators and other workers, protesting worsening economic conditions and poverty. On Sept 16, 2022, protests started as a reaction to the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by the Islamic religious police (“Guidance Patrol) for wearing an “improper” hijab (head covering) while visiting Tehran.

Back to your post, Farnaz: “I don’t think that anybody even considers them as a person, I mean, the heads of this regime, have you seen them on TV? They don’t look (scary), if they didn’t have power and unfortunately they have a lot“- Yes, I looked at photos online, they look human in the photos.

“I can imagine that we can avoid some situations as you said“- there is an incredible number of abusive situations all over the world that we, as regular citizens, can avoid. Better we do that.

“In my culture, I was told by my family, teachers and other authority figures I had, that in order to not get taken advantage of by people, especially men, I should study and work and be independent. Now, the majority of university students in Iran are females, if there was enough work places for them, that would be an ideal situation“- according to Iran focus. com, 89% of unemployed women in Iran are highly educated. (You are one of the 11%)…

“but I don’t know it would apply in other situations too, or not?“- I didn’t understand this question…?

anita