Some bad news for feminists in Iran. Authorities have shut down the country's top women's magazine, Zanan.
Managing director Shahla Sherkat was once a hardline supporter of the Iranian government but became disillusioned after the Iran-Iraq war. Zanan managed to survive previous crackdowns by cautiously avoiding general politics and focusing on women's issues.But that didn't work, apparently.
According to preliminary reports it was banned for portraying a negative image of women in Iran, but no official word has emerged yet.
And what were the oh-so-negative issues discussed in the magazine? Everything from domestic violence to cosmetic surgery.
The Commission for Press Authorisation and Surveillance, responsible for shutting down the magazine, also accused Zanan of “publishing information detrimental to society’s psychological tranquility.� Sigh.
More from Inside Iran and Reporters Without Borders.
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"Some bad news for feminists in Iran."
WHAT?! I am le shocked!
(Ugh, I'm sorry. I couldn't resist.)
"Authorities have shut down the country's top women's magazine, Zanan."
Stuff like this is EXACTLY why I don't read anything outside of newspapers, blogs or CD sleeves anymore.
Don't you love how talking about domestic violence is deemed negative and vulgar, while the actual violence itself is not?
"...publishing information detrimental to society's psychological tranquillity."
Well, you can't fault them on their powers of observation.
I'm sorry, I can't help but ask, but what the hell are we supposed to do about this as Americans (well, some of us are Americans, I know that there are some Canadians and Europeans on here as well)? We have no power to determine what they do or don't do in their government, no matter how atrocious it is. I'm not trying to be hostile, I'm genuinely curious, what can we possibly do about this?
What about actions that are detrimental to society's psychological tranquility, like, I don't know, such as pretending such actions don't exist and silencing all those who expose them?
But,hey, this is Iran. Color me ten shades of not a damn but surprised. Sharia strikes again. *looking for a way to send the Movement in Iran money*
Found: a way we can help, sort of...
"ranian women’s rights activists are initiating a wide campaign demanding an end to discriminatory laws against women in the Iranian law. The Campaign “One Million Signatures Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws� is a follow-up effort to the peaceful protest of the same aim, which took place on June 12, 2006 in Haft-e Tir Square in Tehran
We the undersigned, representing international women’s groups and activists, human rights organizations and activists, university and academic centers, and social justice initiatives, would like to express our support for Iranian women in their effort to reform laws and achieve equal status within the Iranian legal system."
Here:
One Million Signatures Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws
Did I mention how much I *heart* google.
This is one of those times I wish I knew Farsi and could read it. :(
"Don't you love how talking about domestic violence is deemed negative and vulgar, while the actual violence itself is not?"
Good point.
"I'm sorry, I can't help but ask, but what the hell are we supposed to do about this as Americans (well, some of us are Americans, I know that there are some Canadians and Europeans on here as well)? We have no power to determine what they do or don't do in their government, no matter how atrocious it is. I'm not trying to be hostile, I'm genuinely curious, what can we possibly do about this?"
Good question. Unfortunately, I'm even afraid that Western efforts, even non-governmental ones, could accidentally have a reverse-psychology effect. Meanwhile, if one's signing a Western-sounding name an online petition against abuses in Iran or wherever, adding a comment like "you are so medieval!" seems especially likely to have that effect (yes, I've seen that kind of thing before). :(