Women riding Tehran streets on motorbikes latest sign of Iran societal change
6 days ago
- #Iran
- #Societal Change
- #Women's Rights
- Women in Tehran are increasingly riding motorbikes, signaling societal change in Iran.
- Merat Behnam, a 38-year-old café owner, overcame initial fears and societal disapproval to ride her scooter in Tehran.
- Iran's traffic police regulations specifically mention only men can obtain motorcycle licenses, creating legal barriers for women.
- Conservative clerics and hard-liners view women riding motorbikes as 'tabarruj' (excessive flaunting of beauty), contrary to Islamic norms.
- Tehran's heavy traffic and congestion charges are prompting more women to ride motorbikes despite cultural and legal challenges.
- Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration may consider changing regulations to allow women to obtain motorcycle licenses.
- Riding motorbikes is seen by some as a symbol of women's choice, independence, and equal presence in society.
- Behnam's positive interaction with traffic police while riding her motorbike was a rare encouraging experience.