These four Iranian stars have worked hard their entire lives to shine bright in their homeland but were left with no choice but to leave their country.

By Tara Kangarlou

Glamour

As millions around the world honour International Women’s Day, Iranian women have proven to be among some of the most tenacious forces for change – not just in Iran but on the global stage.

Six months ago, the world was stunned by the uproar, resistance and resolve of thousands of Iranian women and girls who risked their lives, united, and took to the streets with their messages of freedom and change in the aftermath of the tragic killing of Mahsa Jina Amini in police custody.

However, the Iranian women’s valour, backbone and commitment to change long precede the events of this past fall; instead, they remain the core pillars that have long weaponized Iranian women to push forward against centuries-old patriarchy, discrimination and a gender-apartheid regime at present that has proven to have no regard for the growth of its people – especially its vibrant youth and women.

In most countries, athletes and champions are perhaps a powerful reflection of the many values, ambitions and ever-present challenges within the society.

For these four women, so much of their dreams, struggles, and tireless fight for what’s rightfully theirs are shared by millions of other women and girls in Iran — all united with one common thread: the courage to make headway against oppression, corruption, and perpetual neglect of their rights. These four Iranian stars have worked hard their entire lives to shine bright in their homeland, but under severe socio-political and economic challenges, were left with no choice but to leave their country.

For every Ghazaleh, Atefeh, Dina and Sadaf, there are millions of spirited trailblazing young women and girls in Iran — each with their own universal stories of hope, healing and perseverance — dreaming with their hearts and minds for the day when Iranian girls can all shine bright in their homeland.

Ghazaleh Salehipour, Iranian international football player

“I simply couldn’t stay home and see others risk it all on the streets,” recalls Ghazaleh Salehipour of the early days of the nationwide anti-government protests in Iran in late September.

The 22-year-old was one of Iran’s rising female pro footballers and one of the first Iranian women to have been drafted by a European football league. She was scheduled to leave Tehran for Spain — where she’s now playing for Malaga’s Juventud Torremolinos — just a week after Mahsa Jina Amini’s death. However, she recalls how her “conscious” couldn’t let her stay put as thousands of young Iranians her age risked their lives on the streets and in particular in her hometown of Karaj in the outskirts of Tehran.

“I was teargassed myself, witnessed people getting arrested, and even saw a man get shot and die in front of me.” But none of that deterred her from joining the protests before her pre-scheduled trip to Spain.

The young athlete left the country not knowing that her father — one of her biggest supporters and champions — will also lose his life in what’s now regarded as one of the deadliest government crackdowns against peaceful protests in Iran. In early November, just weeks after Salehipour’s departure, her father, along with a friend, joined waves of protestors in Karaj in honour of 24-year-old protestor Hadis Najafi’s 40th day of mourning. There, in the midst of protests, Salehipour’s father was shot in the thigh and died on the spot. Today, Salehipour is channelling all her pain into willpower — paving the way for a future that she knows her father has always dreamt for his only daughter.

What does the chant: “woman, life, freedom” mean to you?

“Each of these words is a whole philosophy in and of itself — each being essential pillars of any civilized society. Any country that lacks any of these pillars cannot have a healthy society and culture. Also for me, this chant will always be a reminder of my dad; so its meaning is even more powerful for me.” >>>