My thoughts on #Metoo in Iran: It is particularly encouraging to see that in a society that still criminalizes consensual sexual relationships w/o marriage, society is finding its way to push for fundamental rights. But this change did not happen overnight. https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/iran-metoo-moment-200908130623823.html

Social media has undoubtedly been a great amplifier and connector, allowing Iranian women to read one another's stories as well as the experiences of women in other countries.

But where Iranian women are standing today is also the result of years of work on the ground by Iranian women's rights defenders and ordinary women who have fought to be recognized in society.

In Iran's #MeToo moment, the authorities have taken an important step by arresting one suspect, but they are facing a much more serious test both in how they are going to handle the judicial process and how they will deal with other, much more powerful, alleged sexual predators.

The authorities must ultimately amend the law with a definition of rape that is gender-neutral, includes marital rape and other forms of penetration, as well as other forms of sexual assault, and is not punishable by death.

Women speaking out online show that they are not waiting around for the authorities to give them their rights. In the face of oppression, Iranian women have demanded their rights and continued to push for change in many different and innovative ways.