Voices from Evin: The Resilience of Women in Iran's Infamous Prison

Inside Iran's Evin prison, women face harsh conditions—including torture and solitary confinement—while continuing their activism sparked by the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests. This article sheds light on their resilience, solidarity, and efforts to maintain hope amidst dire circumstances.

Crouched in a solitary, windowless cell, Nasim gripped the cold floor as she listened to the anguished cries echoing from outside. The prison guard's ominous warnings filled her with dread: "Get ready, you're next." Subjected to grueling interrogations for over ten hours daily, she confronted the terrifying prospect of execution. This stark reality marked the beginning of her life as a 36-year-old hairdresser imprisoned in Iran's notorious Evin prison. Stripped of her humanity, Nasim spent four agonizing months in isolation, with no companions but her tormentors.

Her plight is one shared by many women arrested during the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests that erupted in the wake of Mahsa Amini's tragic death in police custody. Arrested for allegedly violating hijab laws, Amini's fate ignited widespread dissent, leading to the imprisonment of tens of thousands, including Nasim and Rezvaneh—a fellow protestor who faced threats against her loved ones in Evin.

Mostly political prisoners, the women in Evin endure inhumane conditions, overcrowded cells, and constant fear. But even behind bars, they find ways to assert their identities and fight for their rights. Bonds of sisterhood are forged in their cramped living spaces, filled with laughter and shared sorrow in the face of adversity. In the small dark corners of the prison, they consort over makeshift meals and share their passions—painting, poetry, and raging against the system oppressing them.

In this unsettling reality, Rezvaneh's unexpected pregnancy offers a flicker of hope. After years of battling infertility, she discovered she was expecting amid the prison's unyielding walls. Despite the arduous challenges, the news that doctors confirmed she was carrying a girl brought joy tinged with worry for the child's well-being due to the bleak conditions.

Creative outlets also thrive within the prison walls; women like Vida transform bedsheets into canvases, creating poignant works that symbolize their struggles and desires for freedom. However, administrative crackdowns follow, erasing their artworks that evoke deeper meanings.

Life support becomes a battle, as chronic health issues like those faced by Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi highlight the cruel indifference of authorities toward inmates' medical needs. Following and demanding healthcare amid threats, prisoners learn to protest creatively, using hunger strikes and public demonstrations to demand respect and dignity even within the confines of their cells.

The journey to hear their sentences is fraught with anxiety. While Nasim awaited hers for nearly a year and a half, a profound sense of connection with her fellow inmates emerged as they inspired each other to persevere. When her sentence finally arrived—six years, plus lashes and exile—Nasim felt a resurgence of hope, as though life had returned to her shattered existence.

Recent months have seen growing protests against executions within the prison. Every week, they gather in defiance, echoing the voices of a movement growing ever bolder despite heavy repression from authorities. Despite the tragic tales echoing behind Evin's walls, these women emerge ever more resilient, voicing their mission for freedom, love, and a future where they can give birth to and embrace a better tomorrow.

With echoes of despair and glimmers of defiance reigniting their spirits, the women of Evin continue to draw strength from one another, emboldened by their shared struggle against an oppressive regime that seeks to silence them. Even in confinement, they nurture a powerful determination that asserts their undeniable hope for freedom and equality—a message that reverberates well beyond the walls of Evin prison.