Woman, Life, Freedom: The Adlerian Conceptualization of the Woman-Led Revolution Against Tyranny in Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Adler was among the first feminists who opposed Freud’s views on the inferiority of women. He argued that it was society, not nature, which had hindered women’s affinity for Social Interest and that this oppression could be overcome through movements for social justice. He believed that women held the capacity and resilience to fight for themselves against gender-based tyranny. One such fundamental tyranny is against women’s bodily autonomy through the enforcement of strict dress codes, especially in autocratic countries such as Iran. The tyranny of the compulsory hijab in Iran is used to describe the mandatory dress code imposed on women, which involves covering their hair and wearing loose-fitting garments that conceal their bodies. This dress code, referred to as hijab , has been enforced since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. In September 2022, the murder of the Iranian woman Mahsa Amini for her supposed improper observance of hijab ignited the worldwide Woman, Life, Freedom movement. This movement calls for the preservation of women’s rights and a shift to secular democracy in Iran. Adlerian art therapy workshops inspired by this movement were held in Vancouver, Canada, to promote resilience and social justice in the Iranian diaspora. These workshops successfully echoed the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and encouraged ally-ship and advocacy for women.