Meghna Pant's column: Today, women's rights are intertwined around the world

Wars are seldom confined within their borders. They also change the global discourse on power, freedom, and women's rights. The ongoing conflict in Iran may not be far-fetched news for the women of India — but it is a mirror, a warning and in many ways a call to vigilance. Women in Iran have been living under strict rules on dress and behavior in public life for decades. The government makes it mandatory for women to wear the hijab and imposes many restrictions on them in daily life. Women who speak out against these rules often face punishment, arrest or harassment. In times of political tension or war, governments tighten controls. In such a situation, women's freedom is rapidly reduced. In recent years, women in Iran have protested in large numbers against draconian laws. Her movement became known worldwide as "Women, Life, Freedom". It was discussed at the global level. Women took to the streets, spoke openly and took off their hijabs in protest. Many of them showed extraordinary courage, while they were fully aware of the dangers it could pose. Many women were arrested, some received threats, some had to leave the country and some even lost their lives simply for demanding freedom. The women of India may find these incidents shocking. We are a democratic country where women have many legal rights. Women vote, work, run businesses, get into politics and express their opinions openly on social media. Indian women enjoy more freedom than many other countries. But that doesn't mean the conflict is over. Rape, domestic violence, dowry, female foeticide, unequal pay and social pressure on women's choices still exist in India. Many women are still struggling for economic independence, safety in public places and equal respect both at home and at work. In such a situation, the question arises, which freedoms are we considering as natural? How quickly can these rights be weakened if institutions are weakened, as was the case in Iran after 1979? And how can solidarity across borders strengthen the fight for gender equality? The truth is that women's rights are becoming more intertwined around the world today. The voices raised in Tehran due to social media, migration and global activism resonate in Delhi and Mumbai. When Iranian women risk their lives to take off their hijab in protest, they are not just challenging their government; They are also broadening the global notion of freedom. It also reminds us of how innocuous women's rights can be—that is, the freedoms that exist today may end tomorrow—if society stops protecting them. The lesson for Indian women is to be aware and never take your rights for granted. They have to be constantly protected through strong laws, education, economic freedom, and social support. (These are the author's own views)