Femicide in Iran

Femicide in Iran is manifested in two prominent phenomena: violent repression by the state against women involved in protests, and so-called "honor killings" carried out by male family members. In both cases, women are killed as a result of gender-based control mechanisms, either by the authorities or within conservative family and social structures.^[1]

In recent years, especially during waves of protest such as the one sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, numerous cases have been documented of women killed by security forces. These women took an active part in demonstrations or were targeted for allegedly violating dress codes or religious-social norms. Many were killed in the streets or in detention, with little to no media coverage or legal transparency.^[2]

At the same time, the phenomenon of honor killings persists, in which women are murdered by husbands, fathers, brothers, or other relatives on the pretext that they brought "shame" to the family. These cases occur across Iran, from major cities to remote villages, and are often unreported or undocumented. Iranian law sometimes grants leniency to perpetrators, especially when the killer is the victim’s father or a close relative.^[1]

Femicide in Iran is seen as an extreme expression of patriarchal control and stems from a combination of conservative religious and social beliefs, discriminatory laws, and a lack of effective enforcement. Partial documentation of this phenomenon shows a rise in its frequency and highlights the failure of the judicial system and society to prevent it.^[1]

2000s (1380s)

Femicide in Iran has become a severe and systemic issue, with data showing an alarming upward trend. Human rights organizations have repeatedly highlighted the lack of effective legal protection for women and the failure of Iranian authorities to prevent or punish gender-based violence. According to the Center for Human Rights in Iran, in 2024, an average of one woman was killed every two days by a family member. These figures only represent publicly reported cases, suggesting that the true number is likely much higher.^[3]

In March 2025, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran reported that at least 179 femicides were documented in 2024. The report, compiled by Mai Sato, drew attention to troubling legal frameworks that protect male perpetrators, including laws that grant leniency for so-called "honor killings" and insufficient enforcement of protective measures. These systemic deficiencies point to state negligence (and in some cases, complicity) in enabling gender-based violence.^[4]

Research conducted during the 2000s revealed that 66.3% of women had experienced some form of domestic violence since the beginning of their marriage. In 10.5% of cases, the violence was described as severe. Notably, 53% of women faced violence within the first year of marriage. Although some of these incidents resulted in femicide, widespread censorship and a lack of transparency in official reporting have obscured the true scale of such crimes.^[5]

2010s (1390s)

In 2018, reports of violence against women increased by 20% to 22% compared to the previous year. Experts attributed this to growing public awareness and improved reporting mechanisms, rather than a rise in actual incidents.^[6] In 2020, Iran's Legal Medicine Organization recorded 80,187 forensic examinations related to domestic violence, 96% of which involved female victims. Despite the scale of the issue, government agencies have failed to provide systematic protection or effective legal remedies for victims.^[7]

2020s (1400s)

At the start of the 2020s, forensic data showed that 97% of 20,735 physical domestic abuse cases involved female victims. In the same year, a study by Iran University of Medical Sciences found that 77.2% of women in five major cities experienced at least one form of violence during the COVID-19 lockdown. Among them, 91.2% suffered psychological violence, 65.8% physical abuse, 42.6% sexual violence, and 38.2% injuries resulting from violence.^[8]

Between the first quarters of 2022 and 2024, at least 85 women and girls were reportedly killed by close male relatives. Tehran Province recorded the highest number, with five reported cases. In 2023, at least 186 honor killings were documented, 32 of which occurred in Tehran alone.^[8]

Institutional Failure

These statistics reflect not only widespread societal violence against women but also the systematic failure of the Iranian government to protect its female citizens. Discriminatory laws, lack of accountability for perpetrators, and the absence of independent investigative mechanisms have created an environment in which violence against women (including femicide) is met with impunity. In several documented cases, state institutions have either ignored or implicitly condoned the crimes, underscoring the urgent need for reform in Iran’s legal and judicial approach to gender-based violence.^[9]

State-Perpetrated Femicide

In Iran, multiple cases have been documented in which women were killed by state forces due to issues related to compulsory hijab or participation in protests.

Neda Agha-Soltan

Neda Agha-Soltan, a philosophy student, was shot and killed on 20 June 2009 during the post-election protests of 2009 on Kargar Shomali Street in Tehran. Footage of her death was widely circulated and became a global symbol of state violence against protesters and of the resilience of Iranian women and citizens.

Mahsa Amini

On 13 September 2022, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman from Saqqez, was arrested in Tehran by the Guidance Patrol for "improper hijab." She died three days later while in custody. Her death triggered nationwide protests and sparked the beginning of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

Arezu Badri

In August 2023, Arezu Badri, a young woman from Nur County, Mazandaran Province, was shot by police officers for not wearing a mandatory hijab. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Nika Shakarami

On 20 September 2022, Nika Shakarami, a 17-year-old girl from Lorestan, disappeared in Tehran during the Woman, Life, Freedom protests. Nine days later, her body was found in a Tehran morgue bearing signs of severe violence. Iranian authorities claimed her death was caused by a fall, but her family and witnesses rejected this account, calling it an attempt to cover up her murder. Her death became a symbol of state violence against protesters and provoked widespread reactions both in Iran and internationally.

Elahe Hosseinnezhad

Elahe Hosseinnezhad, a 24-year-old woman from Eslamshahr, disappeared on 25 May 2025 after leaving her workplace in the Sa’adat Abad neighborhood of Tehran. She was last seen entering a passing car in Azadi Square, after which all contact with her ceased. Ten days later, her body was found in the desert near Mehrabad International Airport.

This case highlighted the weaknesses of Iran’s security and support systems for protecting women. While the Islamic Republic allocates considerable resources to enforcing compulsory dress codes and restricting women's public freedoms, it has failed to ensure their basic safety. The murder of Elahe Hosseinnezhad has come to symbolize the state's disregard for the rights and safety of women. Official policies continue to focus on controlling and limiting individual freedoms rather than protecting citizens.

Women Killed During the 2022 Protests

During the nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, at least 537 people were killed, including many women. Victims died as a result of gunfire, beatings, or torture.

Violence by the Guidance Patrol

Numerous reports have documented violent behavior by the Guidance Patrol (morality police) against women. For instance, in May 2024, a video showing officers assaulting a woman for "unveiling" went viral, sparking public outrage. These incidents are examples of structural violence against women in Iran and have been described by activists as a form of state femicide.