Homa Darabi

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Homa Darabi

Homa Darabi (1940 – February 21, 1994) was an Iranian pathologist, psychiatrist, and university professor who became a symbol of defiance against the Islamic Republic of Iran following her public self-immolation in protest against the government's oppressive policies towards women. Her death highlighted the struggles of women under the Islamic Republic and became a rallying point for critics of the regime's treatment of women's rights.

Early Life and Education

Homa Darabi was born in 1940 in Tehran, Iran. She pursued her higher education in the field of medicine and specialized in pathology and psychiatry. Darabi was a distinguished student and went on to become a professor at the University of Tehran, where she was deeply involved in academic and clinical work. Her commitment to her profession and her contributions to the field of psychiatry in Iran were well recognized among her peers and students.

Career

Throughout her career, Darabi was known for her dedication to her patients and her efforts to improve the psychiatric care system in Iran. She worked tirelessly to address the needs of her patients and to advance the field of psychiatry, both through her clinical practice and her academic work. However, her career and personal life were deeply affected by the Iranian Revolution in 1979, which led to significant changes in the country's political, social, and cultural landscape, especially concerning women's rights.

Protest and Death

In response to the increasingly repressive policies of the Islamic Republic towards women, including the mandatory wearing of the hijab, Homa Darabi took a drastic step to voice her protest. On February 21, 1994, in a crowded public square in Tehran, she removed her hijab, shouted "Death to tyranny! Long live freedom! Long live Iran!" and set herself on fire. Her act of self-immolation was a profound statement against the regime's oppression and an appeal for freedom and human rights. Darabi succumbed to her injuries and died, but her protest left a lasting impact on Iranian society and the world.

Legacy

Homa Darabi's death became a symbol of resistance against the oppression of women in Iran and highlighted the severe impact of the Islamic Republic's policies on women's rights and freedoms. Her sacrifice inspired both national and international attention to the plight of women in Iran and contributed to the ongoing struggle for gender equality and human rights in the country. Darabi's story is remembered as a tragic testament to the courage and desperation of those fighting for freedom and justice in the face of tyranny.

See Also

• Women's rights in Iran
• Human rights in Iran
• Self-immolation