Life Behind Bars: Women's Resilience in Iran's Evin Prison

The article delves into the harrowing experiences and daily life of women imprisoned in Evin, highlighting their struggles, their courage to resist oppression, and the small joys they find amidst brutality.

Crouched alone in her tiny, windowless cell, Nasim could hear the screams of fellow prisoners being tortured. The intimidating voice of the guard would echo ominously, warning her that she might be next. Subjected to relentless interrogations for as long as 12 hours daily, Nasim felt as if she would "die and no one would know." This was just the beginning of her ordeal in Evin prison, where she spent four torturous months in solitary confinement.

The circumstances faced by Nasim and other women in Evin are a reflection of the broader political and social climate in Iran, particularly after the protests triggered by Mahsa Amini's death in September 2022. Many of these women were arrested during demonstrations advocating for women's rights following Mahsa's death, which resulted from her arrest for allegedly violating hijab laws. Despite numerous accounts of brutality, the women inside Evin continue to resist and advocate for their rights.

Once moved out of solitary confinement, Nasim joined about 70 other women in the crowded women's wing, many of whom were also arrested for political dissent. They shared a cramped space, often leading to conflicts, yet they also forged strong bonds. The harsh prison conditions posed numerous challenges — they endured extreme temperatures, had limited access to nourishing food, and faced constant surveillance. They often cooked for themselves from meager food supplies when funds allowed.

One notable narrative is that of Rezvaneh, who learned she was pregnant after months in Evin. Despite the dire conditions, the discovery brought her some hope against the backdrop of overwhelming stress. Other women, like Vida, found solace in creativity despite the dangers of expressing themselves. Vida used bedsheets as canvases to paint portraits of fellow prisoners, risking censure for creating art that encapsulated their struggle.

The fight for humane treatment extended further, even applying to critical medical care, where women such as human rights activist Narges Mohammadi faced obstruction to essential treatment due to political oppression. Despite the pervasive fear of humiliating punishment, the prisoners risked backlash by protesting against their treatment and the broader climate of execution and repression in Iran.

Having been sentenced to harsh penalties, like Nasim's six years in prison along with lashes and years of exile, the women still found a sense of community in their shared experience, pushing each other to keep living purposefully each day. They would gather to eat breakfast, form friendships, and support each other during their trials.

Protests against the regime still erupted from behind bars, with inmates refusing to wear headscarves in defiance of oppressive laws. The collective strength of these women echoed out of Evin prison, contributing to a growing movement that garnered international support for their plight.

As the conditions worsened with rising executions in Iran, the women's resolve did not falter. Their narratives have become increasingly important in the fight for women's rights and justice, illuminating both the brutality of their circumstance and the resilience that allows them to persist even in the darkest of times.

Amidst the adversity, Rezvaneh gave birth to a daughter, complicating her emotional landscape with both joy and despair, knowing her return to prison could be imminent. The women’s journeys, framed by suffering and resistance, underline an unyielding will to fight back, an enduring spirit that refuses to be silenced despite the physical and psychological chains they face. The future remains uncertain, yet their voices resonate louder than ever within and beyond the walls of Evin prison.