Women and Propaganda in Tehran: The Heart of Capital

Depictions of Women in State Media

Women in Iranian state media are portrayed through carefully curated images that emphasize modesty, virtue, and resistance. Women are often depicted as guardians of Islamic values, playing roles as mothers, educators, and fighters in the ideological battle.

State media also use women as symbols of national pride, highlighting their achievements in science, sports, and arts, but always within the boundaries of Islamic modesty. These images serve to reinforce societal expectations while promoting an idealized vision of womanhood aligned with state ideology.

Symbolism of Women in Nationalist Narratives

Women symbolize the moral fabric and cultural identity of Iran. Their attire—particularly the hijab—becomes a visual marker of Islamic fidelity and resistance to Western influence. Propaganda often depicts women standing alongside slogans of independence, resistance, and Islamic unity.

Role of Women in Promoting Islamic Values

Women are portrayed as the custodians of Islamic morals. They are depicted in posters and murals participating in religious ceremonies, teaching children, and supporting the regime’s moral codes. This imagery aims to reinforce traditional gender roles, emphasizing women’s importance in maintaining societal stability.

Women as Symbols of Purity, Resistance, and Nationalism

In Tehran’s visual propaganda, women often appear as symbols of purity and resistance against foreign enemies, especially the U.S. and Israel. Murals and posters depict women in traditional dress, holding flags or banners, embodying resilience and devotion to Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

January 28, 2026 | 4:51 pm