Three years after the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody and subsequent protests which were quashed with deadly force, the mood among Iranians has only darkened, with many pointing to hardships that increasingly shape daily life.
In response to Iran International query asking viewers what had changed since her death and the igniting of the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement, most said life had become ever harder.
“Every day people fall deeper into ruin: more penniless, more unemployed, more hungry. There’s no water, power, or gas in places. Killings and violence have increased,” another message said.
Many Iranians are grappling with shortages of water and electricity and cited the mounting toll of high inflation and broader economic strain.
Sanctions, corruption and mismanagement have plagued Iran's economy for decades.
The wave of civil disobedience especially among women and girls continues subtly across Iran and has even spread to many traditionally religious cities.
“We’re in Mashhad. Even though it’s a religious city, many women come out with freer dress. I used to wear the chador, but since Mahsa I no longer wear hijab. Men have also changed. They’re united with the women,” one respondent said.
Other messages confirm that civil disobedience over dress codes and open defiance of Islamic regulations is widespread across the country.
“Women this year gained a little more freedom in dress. Men wear shorts and tank tops in public now. The government is failing on the hijab issue, but a woman still cannot claim her rights even in a court. Child laborers and people sleeping in cardboard boxes remain — poverty is rampant,” a caller said.
Patchy enforcement
A harsh new sanctions and chastity bill passed by the hardliner-dominated parliament was frozen by Iran's top security body this year in an apparent bid by the theocracy to forestall further unrest.
Some messages suggested that in affluent areas, obedience to the Islamic dress code has collapsed almost entirely, but that the trend was far from universal.
“The Mahsa movement caused the costly system of forced hijab to crumble. But in practice nothing changed, it got worse," in person said.
"A few women walking unveiled in the streets only benefits the wealthy; it does nothing for the millions who are starving. In fact, those who were killed and injured suffered the most. There’s no benefit for the poor.”
Beyond shortages of water and electricity, callers pointed to critical deficits in health and food supplies.
There are reports of shortages of essential medicines including treatments for rare diseases, cancer and chronic illnesses, as well as a scarcity of powdered milk and infant formula.
Rising food inflation has placed basic staples out of reach for many families. Still, messages of hope and a desire for change are widespread.
“Life has become much harder financially, socially and psychologically," one respondent said, "but we feel that a small spark, one small spark could become the final ax to tear down this tree of oppression."
