UN Rights Body Says Measures are Becoming Increasing Intrusive
A new report from the UN Human Rights Council-backed Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran alleges that Iranian authorities are increasingly using electronic surveillance to ensure that women cover their heads in public. This use of surveillance comes after widespread protests erupted in Iran in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini—a twenty-two-year-old woman arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the veiling law. According to the report, authorities are using extreme measures, implementing surveillance on major highways, and using facial recognition programs and public apps that allow “vetted” members of the public to report women seen in public or in vehicles without the required head covering. Sara Hossain, the Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, says that “crimes against humanity” are being committed against women in Iran. Specifically, the report authors found that “The state is increasingly reliant on state-sponsored vigilantism in an apparent effort to enlist businesses and private individuals in hijab compliance, portraying it as a civic responsibility.” It will be presented to members of the Human Rights Council this week.
Texas Charges Midwife and Assistant for Performing Illegal Abortion
For the first time since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, a midwife and medical assistant in Texas have been arrested and charged with illegally performing abortions. Maria Margarita Rojas, a midwife, and her colleague, Jose Ley, were charged with a second-degree felony for performing an abortion. Texas has a near-total ban on the practice. Rojas, a certified midwife who operated clinics in several towns around Houston, was initially charged with practicing medicine without a license. New charges related to providing abortions were ultimately added. The attorney general’s office alleges that Ley worked as a medical assistant at one of Rojas’ clinics and performed at least one illegal abortion. Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, has filed temporary restraining orders to shut down the clinics where Rojas works in order “to prevent further illegal activity.” Texas law bans abortion at all stages of a pregnancy and only allows exceptions when a patient has a life-threatening condition. “This is, as far as I know, the first allegation that someone in a ban state is providing an abortion in direct violation of abortion laws,” said Marc Hearron of the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Chinese Unions Urge Fair Treatment for Female Workers
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The Hunan Federation of Trade Unions in China published an online reminder encouraging employers to provide women employees and jobseekers with equal opportunities in the job market. The notice included warnings against posting job openings exclusively for men, giving male candidates priority in hiring, or investigating women’s marital, childbearing, or pregnancy status. The federation urged employers to sign labor contracts with female employees and to clarify their rights, including maternity leave. It also emphasized the importance of adhering to the principle of “equal pay for equal work.” Other trade unions in Quighai and Fujian provinces have made similar calls to respect female workers. This comes as public concern over workplace discrimination against women has grown in recent years. Many women continue to face unfair treatment in the job market. Chang Wei, a thirty-one-year-old jewelry designer in Beijing, said, “we can work just as good as men and should not be denied employment or promotion opportunities because of our gender.”
Diya Mehta is the intern for the Women and Foreign Policy Program.
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Women This Week: Iran Using Electronic Surveillance to Enforce Veiling Laws
Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers March 15 to March 21.
March 24, 2025 12:32 pm (EST)
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- Blog posts represent the views of CFR fellows and staff and not those of CFR, which takes no institutional positions.
UN Rights Body Says Measures are Becoming Increasing Intrusive
A new report from the UN Human Rights Council-backed Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran alleges that Iranian authorities are increasingly using electronic surveillance to ensure that women cover their heads in public. This use of surveillance comes after widespread protests erupted in Iran in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini—a twenty-two-year-old woman arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the veiling law. According to the report, authorities are using extreme measures, implementing surveillance on major highways, and using facial recognition programs and public apps that allow “vetted” members of the public to report women seen in public or in vehicles without the required head covering. Sara Hossain, the Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, says that “crimes against humanity” are being committed against women in Iran. Specifically, the report authors found that “The state is increasingly reliant on state-sponsored vigilantism in an apparent effort to enlist businesses and private individuals in hijab compliance, portraying it as a civic responsibility.” It will be presented to members of the Human Rights Council this week.
Texas Charges Midwife and Assistant for Performing Illegal Abortion
For the first time since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, a midwife and medical assistant in Texas have been arrested and charged with illegally performing abortions. Maria Margarita Rojas, a midwife, and her colleague, Jose Ley, were charged with a second-degree felony for performing an abortion. Texas has a near-total ban on the practice. Rojas, a certified midwife who operated clinics in several towns around Houston, was initially charged with practicing medicine without a license. New charges related to providing abortions were ultimately added. The attorney general’s office alleges that Ley worked as a medical assistant at one of Rojas’ clinics and performed at least one illegal abortion. Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, has filed temporary restraining orders to shut down the clinics where Rojas works in order “to prevent further illegal activity.” Texas law bans abortion at all stages of a pregnancy and only allows exceptions when a patient has a life-threatening condition. “This is, as far as I know, the first allegation that someone in a ban state is providing an abortion in direct violation of abortion laws,” said Marc Hearron of the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Chinese Unions Urge Fair Treatment for Female Workers
More on:
The Hunan Federation of Trade Unions in China published an online reminder encouraging employers to provide women employees and jobseekers with equal opportunities in the job market. The notice included warnings against posting job openings exclusively for men, giving male candidates priority in hiring, or investigating women’s marital, childbearing, or pregnancy status. The federation urged employers to sign labor contracts with female employees and to clarify their rights, including maternity leave. It also emphasized the importance of adhering to the principle of “equal pay for equal work.” Other trade unions in Quighai and Fujian provinces have made similar calls to respect female workers. This comes as public concern over workplace discrimination against women has grown in recent years. Many women continue to face unfair treatment in the job market. Chang Wei, a thirty-one-year-old jewelry designer in Beijing, said, “we can work just as good as men and should not be denied employment or promotion opportunities because of our gender.”
Diya Mehta is the intern for the Women and Foreign Policy Program.
More on:
