Women and the Death Penalty in Iran: A Gendered Perspective

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) has published a unique report shedding light on the realities of women’s executions in Iran. Titled “Women and the Death Penalty in Iran: A Gendered Perspective” this report examines the harrowing gender disparities and inhumane aspects of the death penalty.

According to the report, 2024 marked a grim milestone. Two years after the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, the Islamic Republic recorded its highest annual number of women executed in 17 years, with 31 women executed in Iranian prisons. This figure, based on data verified by IHRNGO, represents an unprecedented level since the organisation began documenting executions in 2008.

“The execution of women in Iran not only reveals the brutal and inhumane nature of the death penalty but also exposes the deep-rooted gender discrimination and inequality within the judicial system,” said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, Director of Iran Human Rights. “We call on the international community to break its silence on these systemic injustices and gender apartheid in Iran and to intensify efforts to save those facing execution.”

Download the Full Report (pdf)

Facts and Figures

• At least 31 women were executed in 2024—the highest number in over 15 years.
• A minimum of 241 women were executed between 2010 and 2024.
• 121 women (50%) were identified only by initials or remained completely anonymous.
• 114 women were executed for murder, while 107 women were executed on drug-related charges.
• Four women were executed for security-related charges such as moharebeh (waging war against God) and ifsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth). Among them was one Jewish woman and two Kurdish political prisoners.
• 9 of the executed women  were child brides, three of whom were also child offenders, meaning they were under 18 at the time of their alleged crime.
• 70% of women executed for murder were accused of killing their husbands or partners, often in contexts of domestic violence.
• Women from marginalised provinces like Sistan and Baluchistan were disproportionately represented among drug-related executions, highlighting the intersection of systemic discrimination, poverty, and judicial bias.

Executions in the Shadow of Domestic Violence

Many women executed for murder were victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse who acted out of desperation. Approximately 70% of these women were accused of killing their husbands, often in abusive marriages. However, Iran’s judicial system rarely considers these circumstances as mitigating factors in sentencing.

Poverty, Isolation, and Vulnerability

Women on death row are often abandoned by their families, leaving them to endure inhumane prison conditions alone. Poverty and illiteracy, particularly among ethnic minority women, strip them of the resources necessary for an effective defence, compounding their vulnerability.

Drug-related Executions

Between 2010 and 2024, at least 107 women were executed on drug-related charges. While the 2017 Amendment to the Anti-Narcotic Law initially led to a decline in drug-related executions, 2024 witnessed a sharp increase—the highest in nine years. Many women were coerced into these crimes or unaware of their roles, but such circumstances are rarely acknowledged by the judiciary.

Continuing Death Sentences for Women

Iran Human Rights’ research of state media over a two-year period revealed that between January 2022 and January 2024, at least 47 women were at risk of or sentenced to death. This report delves into the broader implications of these statistics.

Silent Victims Awaiting Execution

An unknown number of women remain on death row, their lives are in danger, among them are Kurdish activists Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi. Since 1979, the Islamic Republic has used executions as a tool of political oppression to instill fear and maintain its grip on power, with thousands of women and men executed following sham trials. While the majority of those executed have been men, the stories of women and the gender-specific dimensions of the death penalty in Iran have largely remained hidden.

Behind Every Number is a Story

This report reminds us that behind every statistic is a human life—dreams and stories extinguished by injustice and social stigma.