Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iranian women’s fortunes have taken a deep dive. In addition to the restrictions imposed by a conservative patriarchal society, the Islamic Republic’s social and legal systems have placed further burdens on women. This is especially true amongst the poor and middle classes, and those living in small cities and rural areas, which tend to be more traditional.

Traditions, religions, ethnicities, and even languages vary from region to region in the sprawling Islamic Republic of Iran, but the authorities’ grip on every aspect of a woman’s life is uniform...