December 17th: Anniversary of Iranian Women’s Liberation by Order of Reza Shah the Great

December 17th is one of the cultural and social events named the Liberation of the Women of the Nation by Order of Reza Shah the Great.

December 17th in Iran is the day when Reza Shah the Great approved a change in women’s dress code through a decree in 1935. According to this decree, Iranian women and girls were prohibited from wearing the chador, headscarf, and veil in schools, universities, and administrative and government centers, and were only allowed to wear hats and coats.

December 17th not only commemorates Reza Shah Pahlavi’s historic decree for unveiling and liberating women from the bonds of ancient traditions, but this day also coincides with the death anniversary of Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, one of the most influential women in contemporary Iranian history.

Prince Reza Pahlavi also released a message on the occasion of December 17th, which is the day of liberation of the women of the nation. In this message, he wrote: “December 17th commemorates the courageous and historic action of Reza Shah the Great in liberating Iranian women from the grip of backwardness and isolation. This day does not precisely mean the day of unveiling, but the day of freedom of dress.

Iranian women on this day, backed by a national government that was the guardian of their freedom and security, found the opportunity to be freed from the bonds of reactionism and to have an equal presence in society alongside men. In this way, our ancient nation was able to benefit from the power and talent of half of society for the progress and development of the country.

I consider that decision of Reza Shah to be epoch-making, because not only was it progressive for its time, but it initiated a historic transformation in Iranian women’s achievement of their rights, the effects of which are still evident in Iranian society today. Even the Islamic Republic, despite its deeply reactionary nature, has never been able to reverse the situation to what it was before. As it is today, Iranian women are among the pioneers of the national revolution to overthrow the Islamic Republic and, like a firm barrier, have stood against the misogyny and anti-freedom agenda of this religious reactionism.

I honor the memory of all patriotic men and women who were pioneers of the liberation of Iranian women in those days, and I salute the brave men and women of Iran who today, side by side, are struggling to reclaim their nation and freedom.”