Surge in Femicide and Honor Killings in Iran
NCRI Women's Committee
In less than a month (24 days), Iran has witnessed a shocking wave of domestic violence that has left at least 21 women dead across various cities.
These killings—many carried out with extreme brutality, some in public spaces or in front of children—highlight the urgent crisis of gender-based violence and the absence of effective legal and social protections for women in Iran.
Most of the murders have been described by authorities as resulting from “family disputes,” “honor-related motives,” or “requests for divorce.” These vague labels not only obscure the gravity of the crimes but also reinforce systemic impunity and normalize violence against women within deeply patriarchal frameworks.
These horrific cases of femicide highlight the escalating crisis of gender-based violence in Iran, where systemic legal shortcomings enable perpetrators to act with impunity.
