International Women’s Day 2024: ‘Handmaid’s rally’ in London for Iranian women

Dozens of women marched through central London on International Women’s Day to protest women’s freedom in Iran.

British-Iranian women marched through the centre of London wearing red cloaks and white bonnets, similar to those worn by female characters in Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale.

The protesters, organised by the group Stage of Freedom, marched from Parliament Square to the Iranian embassy in Kensington on Friday March 8 chanting “women’s rights are human rights” and “my body my choice”.

They also carried posters showing female protesters who have been killed, maimed or imprisoned by the Iranian regime.

The Handmaid's Tale costumes worn by the protesters highlighted Iran's hijab laws and other restrictions on women.

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The Women, Life, Freedom movement was born following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in morality police custody. She had been arrested for an alleged breach of the country's strict dress code for women.

Amini’s death on September 16 2022 sparked a wave of protests worldwide demanding more freedom for Iranian women.

As reported by Human Rights Watch, more than 500 people, including 68 children, were killed by security forces during the protests. It is estimated that more than 20,000 protesters were arrested.

According to Amnesty International’s latest report released this week, Iranian authorities have launched a draconian campaign to enforce the compulsory hijab laws on women and girls.

Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the Middle East and north Africa, said: “Iran’s authorities are terrorising women and girls by subjecting them to constant surveillance and policing, disrupting their daily lives and causing them immense mental distress. Their draconian tactics span from stopping female drivers on the road … to imposing inhumane flogging and prison sentences.”