Last week, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize went to an Iranian activist for “for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all” – Narges Mohammadi. Born on April of 1972, in Zanjan, Iran, she grew up in Qorveh, Karaj and attended Qazvin International University. During her time in university, she wrote a number of articles supporting women’s rights in Iran in the student newspaper and was arrested for the first time for criticizing the government. In 2003, she joined the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran, headed by Shirin Ebadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003.

Over the course of the last 25 years, Mohammadi has been arrested several times and imprisoned for her activism. Despite being separated from her family and facing harsh conditions, she continued to advocate for human rights and prisoners' rights from within Evin Prison. She has organized protests from within prison, stating that she will stay in Iran and continue her fight, despite being separated from her family, currently residing in France. She believes that true change for Iran has to come from within, and has focused her activism against the violence and sexual harassment of women. She has also protested Iran’s hijab law, requiring girls and women to cover their hair and bodies, and has pushed for Iran to move out of the Islamic Republic’s rule to become a democracy.

Her prize comes on the heels of the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini, who died in police custody after being arrested for wearing her hijab too loosely. Demonstrations and uprisings followed, being led by women in Iran, and the crackdown was severe – hundreds were killed, including 44 minors and 20,000 Iranians were arrested (according to the UN). The Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo remarked: “This year’s peace prize also recognizes the hundreds of thousands of people who, in the preceding year, have demonstrated against Iran’s theocratic regime’s policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women. The motto adopted by the demonstrators — ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ — suitably expresses the dedication and work of Narges Mohammadi.”

*Photo Credit: Ruwaym, uploaded by BBC Persian under* *CC BY 3.0 DEED*

Mohammadi's life and actions serve as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the profound impact one individual can have on the world when they stand up for justice and equality. Her fight reminds us all of the plight of Iranian women each day. And it reminds us why girls everywhere deserve to be safe, happy, and in school – as we aim to do with Impact Girls. This week, as we honor International Day of the Girl Child, we also honor Mohammadi, and the Iranian women bravely fighting for their rights.

-Reshma

Woman, Life, Freedom...