ŞEHLA MUHAMMADİ

News Center- The uprising that started in Iran and Rojhelat following the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini by Iran’s so-called “morality police” continues. Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (English: Women, Life, Freedom)’ uprising, NuJINHA spoke to feminist Ghazal Rasouli about the uprising and the role of women in the uprising.

 

‘The uprising has changed many things’

Ghazal Rasouli indicated that the uprising has changed many things, noting that there is still a long way to go. “I think many things have changed in the last year but I cannot say that situation is an ideal situation. After the spark of the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ uprising, people began to share the successes of this uprising and the crackdown on people on social media platforms. We still have a long way to go in order to get our equal rights back.”

 

‘Ethnic groups face double crackdown’

Speaking about the crackdown and discrimination imposed against people by the Iranian regime, she said, “There are differences between crackdown and discrimination. People from different ethnic groups, religions, gender and identity face double crackdown and discrimination. For instance, all people suffer from the economic crisis; however, Kurdish women and women from the Baha'i faith suffer from the economic crisis while facing oppression. I mean people across Iran are suffering from an economic crisis; however, the situation in Sistan and Baluchestan is more serious.”

 

‘All women face discrimination’

Ghazal Rasouli thinks women from all nations and religions face discrimination in Iran. “We were hopeful that change would happen; however, we have lost our hope. I think we should struggle more to be hopeful again because change is possible. We just need unity. For several years, women from different nations and religions such as Kurdish, Baloch and Turkish women, have been more active and they have managed to build a good space for themselves. I think we still have a long way to go to ensure equality. The discrimination faced by women from different nations and religions is similar. If we, as women, unite and form our coalition, we will achieve success in ensuring equality and freedom.”