Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Opinion

Reframing Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom Movement: from gender violence to state violence

BMJ 2023; 382 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.p2120 (Published 15 September 2023) Cite this as: BMJ 2023;382:p2120

Rapid Response:

Re: Reframing Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom Movement: from gender violence to state violence

Dear Editor

Woman, Life, Freedom is a universal aspiration. However, in Iran episodic violence against women (especially young women like Mahsa Amini) combines with a continuous level of threat and intimidation. That reminds me of domestic violence situations I came across in my old work on depression or alcohol dependence. The mutual aid of Iranian women combining to take action, and seeking emancipatory change, seems likely to promote public mental health. However, I do not know how legislation is framed in Iran and what non-violent means are available to citizens, to change their leadership. Did any readers of the BMJ attend the WHO regional meeting in May 2023? [1] If so, please share your insights!

[1] WHO in Islamic Republic of Iran. Islamic Republic of Iran hosts first health care leadership and governance training programme as G5 initiative. https://www.emro.who.int/ar/iran/news/islamic-republic-of-iran-hosts-fir... (accessed 16 September 2023).

Competing interests: No competing interests

16 September 2023
Woody Caan
Retired member of the Mental Health special interest group, Faculty of Public Health
Duxford