**Inside Iran's Evin Prison: The Unseen Struggles of Women Inmates**

Accounts from current inmates shed light on the daily brutality and resilience of women in Evin prison, revealing both extreme hardships and unexpected moments of hope.

Crouched in a stark and unyielding cell, Nasim listened in terror as the sounds of torture echoed through the walls. "Get ready, you're next," the guard's cold taunt haunted her as she faced relentless interrogations, often exceeding ten hours daily. Nasim, a 36-year-old hairdresser, found herself in Iran's infamous Evin prison after joining protests that erupted following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Arrested for allegedly violating hijab laws, Amini's death in police custody ignited a nationwide outcry, which led to the arrests of tens of thousands, including Nasim.

With intimate details from reliable sources, we uncover the complexities of life inside Evin prison, where women like Nasim not only endure atrocious conditions but also continue to advocate passionately for women's rights. In an unexpected twist, one inmate, occasionally allowed meetings with her husband, even became pregnant during her incarceration.

Nasim, who once thrived in the vibrant world of hairdressing, had to draw strength from her memories of friends killed during government crackdowns on protestors. Her physical state upon release from solitary confinement revealed the torture she endured: bruises and scars mapped her body, signs of the brutal coercion she faced to extract forced confessions.

Another inmate, Rezvaneh, entered Evin alongside her husband during the protests. Under threats to her husband’s life from interrogators, she lived through the horrors of solitary confinement before being moved to the women’s section where bonds of sisterhood formed among the 70 women held there. Many face sentences for political activism, including spreading propaganda and undermining the state’s security.

The prison environment is harsh, with overcrowded cells housing up to 20 women, creating friction but also solidarity. The harsh winters and sweltering summers add to their suffering, yet the small kitchen space offers a glimmer of hope, allowing them to cook when finances permit. The prison provides limited privacy and a cramped yard for some outdoor respite, where small plants and a volleyball net exist.

The resilience of these women shines through adversity. Rezvaneh discovered her pregnancy during her time in Evin, overcoming years of infertility. Despite the turmoil of prison life, she found comfort in her baby’s impending arrival and yearned to experience motherhood. With a high-risk pregnancy, she struggled for essential medical care, battling against the prison's negligence to secure the necessary ultrasound scans.

Art became a form of expression and rebellion for some, like journalist Vida, who transformed bedsheets into canvases, painting portraits of her fellow inmates and offering them a window of solace amidst the bleakness. Engaging with creating art that was eventually censored by the authorities, Vida still managed to leave behind vibrant murals, bringing a sense of hope to the confined lives.

Despite severe limitations in medical care, many women, including renowned activist Narges Mohammadi, continue to fight for their health amidst prison regulations that often dismiss their needs. After a long battle, she was temporarily released for medical reasons but has faced intermittent blocks to treatment, which is reflective of the systemic challenges in Evin.

Long periods spent anticipating their fates hang heavily over the women. Nasim faced the threat of execution but after a grueling wait, her sentence of six years, seventy-four lashes, and twenty years of exile provided her with an unexpected sense of freedom. The reality of over 800 executions in Iran last year amplifies the urgency of their resistance. Every week, these women stage protests against capital punishment, defying their captors and amplifying their voices that echo beyond prison walls.

With the birth of Rezvaneh’s daughter in October, a new chapter opened, yet the anxieties of being separated from her husband loom large. As the women navigate the complexities of motherhood and incarceration, their resolve shines; the adversities they confront only amplify their determination to fight for a future where they can live freely and justly. In these trying circumstances, they share the belief that their struggles forge a stronger identity, exemplifying resilience in the face of oppression.