Women all over the world have symbolically cut their hair in support of the ongoing protests in Iran calling for greater freedom for women in the aftermath of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
On September 16, Amini died in police custody after being arrested for failing to properly wear her hijab in accordance with the country’s strict religious laws and allowing some locks of hair to escape.
Police claim she died of a heart attack, but eyewitnesses and people detained with her claim she was severely beaten.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is the latest celebrity to stand in support of Iranian women. Taking to Instagram, the former Miss World wrote, “Women in Iran and around the world are standing up and raising their voices, publicly cutting their hair and many other forms of protest for Mahsa Amini, whose young life was taken away so brutally by the Iranian Morality Police for wearing her hijab ‘improperly’. The voices that speak after ages of forced silence, will rightfully burst like a volcano! And they will not and MUST not be stemmed.”
“I am in awe of your courage and your purpose. It is not easy to risk your life, literally, to challenge the patriarchal establishment and fight for your rights. But, you are courageous women doing this every day regardless of the cost to yourselves. To ensure that this movement will have a lasting effect, we must hear their call, understand the issues and then join in with our collective voices. We must also get everyone who can influence others to join as well. Numbers matter. Add your voice to this critical movement. Stay informed and be vocal, so these voices can no longer be forced to stay silent. I stand with you. Jin, jiyan , azaadi… Women, life, freedom,” she added.