Phenomenology of women's political activism in the face of protest events with an emphasis on forms of protest activism in the unrest of 1401

Authors

1 PhD in Sociology, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran

2 PhD student in Political Sociology, Azad University, Research Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Communication, Faculty of Welfare, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/jsi.2025.2053288.1771
Abstract
This study explored the political activism of women during the 2022 protests in Iran through a phenomenological approach, based on in-depth interviews with 21 female participants in Tehran. The analysis identified ten key themes: resistance to gendered domination, digital mobilization, diverse civil resistance strategies, protest discourse construction, communicative cohesion, resource mobilization, street-centered activism, rejection of religious authority, familial solidarity in the civic sphere, and emergency support networks. These were integrated into the overarching theme of a “networked movement of resistance,” characterized by the fusion of creative organization and physical presence. The findings reveal that the intersection of digital and on-the-ground activism, tactical creativity, and the use of social capital underpin the continuity and effectiveness of women’s political engagement. This form of activism reflects a shift toward everyday, decentralized action that challenges dominant power structures. Enhancing multilayered support systems can further sustain and empower this evolving mode of collective action.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 September 2026