The Hana Human Rights Organization states that gender-based violence against women in Iran remains one of the most serious human rights challenges and stands in clear contradiction to Iran’s international obligations, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1993 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, and the core human rights treaties. Although Iran has not joined the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), many of its key principles have become part of customary international law, obliging the state to reflect them in its legislation and policies.
According to data from UN Women, 17.6 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner during the past year. National studies also estimate domestic violence rates as high as 66 percent. These figures demonstrate widespread violations of women’s fundamental rights, including personal security and equality, while many cases remain undocumented due to the absence of safe and reliable reporting mechanisms.
The Hana Human Rights Organization emphasizes that women belonging to religious minorities in Iran face compounded discrimination, as family laws applicable to them are implemented based on varying religious jurisprudence. This disparity results in deeper discrimination compared with women of the country’s official religion, leading to unequal rights in marriage, divorce, inheritance, custody, and personal status. Establishing unified family laws for all women, regardless of religious affiliation, is essential to addressing intersecting inequalities and ensuring legal equality.
The Hana Human Rights Organization calls for the following urgent measures:
- Adoption of a comprehensive law to combat violence against women with clear enforcement mechanisms.
- Establishment of independent, safe, and confidential reporting channels.
- Conducting impartial investigations and ensuring legal accountability for perpetrators.
- Guaranteeing women’s access to comprehensive support services.
- Reforming discriminatory laws and introducing a unified, equal family law for all women without religious distinction.
- Implementing nationwide programs to raise public awareness and transform discriminatory social attitudes.
- Creating an independent monitoring mechanism to evaluate government performance.
The Hana Human Rights Organization reminds that combating violence against women and eliminating discrimination are legal obligations of the Iranian government under international human rights standards, and that the engagement of civil society, the legal community, and the media is essential to advancing this cause.
Hana Human Rights Organization
Geneva, November 2025