My Iran: The Journey of Womanhood

"Zanan" began in 2013 to explore womanhood in modern Iran, and reveal the often-overlooked complexities of the country. The project is divided to three chapters, each focusing on different themes: daily life, generational tensions, and emigration.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women's rights have been heavily restricted—mandating hijabs, stripping custody rights, and limiting public roles. Ever since, global media has depicted Iranian women as veiled and oppressed, influenced by government propaganda.

My project seeks to shed light on how Iranian women live and lead social change, yet their culture and struggles are often misunderstood. For instance, many abroad confuse Persian with Arabic, mistake the hijab forms in Iran for the burqa, and view the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement as just another Middle Eastern protest tied to the region. However, this movement symbolizes the fight for women's rights, equality, and bodily autonomy—issues that women around the world have faced throughout history and continue to face today—calling for international solidarity.

Zanan is divided to three linked chapters:

In Chapter One, I focused on providing a general view of what it’s like to live in Tehran, following women in their daily routines—universities, parties, streets, ceremonies, and love stories.

The second chapter shifts focus to the generational tensions within families. Through interviews, I saw how deeply women are influenced by their mothers and how these tensions shape their identities. This chapter explores the dynamics between mothers and daughters and asks, “If each generation builds on the one before, how do these gaps influence young women’s identities? And how can bridging these gaps help them reclaim more gender equality?
Chapter Three explores the trend of emigration that surged after the massive arrests and killings during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. Since the 2022 uprising, where women led the fight, more are leaving in search of opportunities unavailable at home. I followed a group of women leaving Iran to study abroad and pursue their dreams. With the support of this grant, I will be able to take the first steps toward publishing a book.