Why Do Iranian Women Wear The Veil?

In the 1980’s the Iranian government decided to undergo a ‘Cultural Revolution’ to better their society and beliefs. Bilingual institutes were shut down, classes in schools were separated by sexes and young girls were assigned to wear veils. The veil carried multiple connotations and viewpoints the “fundamentalists” believed in. “And so to protect women from all the potential rapists, they decreed that wearing the veil was obligatory (pg. 74).” In one scene, Marji’s mother had been threatened by two fundamentalists, telling her that women like her (who aren’t wearing a veil) should be pushed against the wall and violated. And then afterwards, should be thrown in the garbage. To prevent such a horrid crime from occurring to women, the fundamentalists repetitively recited that wearing a veil would simply protect them. From a political aspect the government strongly believed that women’s hair emanates ‘rays’ that excite men, which was why it was strongly encouraged to cover up.
“You don’t hesitate to comment on us, but our brothers present here have all shapes and sizes of haircuts and clothes. Sometimes, they wear clothes so tight that we can see everything. Why is it that I, as a woman am expected to feel nothing when watching these men with their clothes sculpted on but they, as men, can get excited by two inches less of my head-scarf? (pg. 143). This statement brings the view back to the moment when Marji and her parents were watching the news, and the government blatantly portrayed men as ‘perverts’, but women can also elicit these types of desires. If women must conceal their bodies for their safety, then should men not take precaution as well? Marji not only brings up a valid point about the restrictiveness of the veil, but also comments on the inequalities between men and