Woman Life Freedom: Voices and Art from the Women’s Protests in Iran

by Malu Halasa (Editor)

Jina Mahsa Amini’s death at the hands of Iran’s Morality Police on 16 September 2022 sparked widespread protests across the country. Women took to the streets, uncovering their hair, burning headscarves and chanting ‘Woman Life Freedom’ – ‘Zan Zendegi Azadi’ in Persian and ‘Jin Jîyan Azadî’ in Kurdish – in mass demonstrations. An explosion of creative resistance followed as art and photography shared online went viral and people around the world saw what was really going on in Iran.

Woman Life Freedom captures this historic moment in artwork and first-person accounts. This striking collection goes behind the scenes at forbidden fashion shows; records the sound of dissent in Iran where it is illegal for women to sing unaccompanied in public; and walks the streets of Tehran with ‘The Smarties’ – Gen Z women who colour and show their hair in defiance of the authorities, despite the potentially devastating consequences. Extolling the power of art, writing and body politics – both female and queer – this collection is a universal rallying call and a celebration of the women the regime has tried and failed to silence.

This is what protest looks like.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Iran, Essays, Art, Middle East, Asia

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of 31 essays, reports, letters, or art galleries shows a wide spectrum of expression from a huge movement. The protesters use every media available: hair color, graffiti, "apartment theatre," songs such as Mariam Rezaei's "This World Is Made of Women," fashion, cell phone videos, short stories, or costumes from "The Handmaid's Tale." A 40,000-member organization called “Iranian Women of Graphic Design” plus the Aftabkaran underground art collective create and share masses of protest artworks across the internet. Roshi Rouzbehani posts her paintings such as “My Hair Is Not Your Battleground.” The quality of writing by the many authors is uneven, with some of it awkward in translation, but the outpouring of passion and creativity is great.

[Kamila Kunda · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Woman, Life, Freedom,” edited by Malu Halasa, is a powerful and deeply moving anthology that captures the fierce spirit and resilience of women at the heart of Iran’s ongoing struggle for freedom. The book is not merely a chronicle of protest (though it contextualises it excellently), but a living testimony to courage, creativity, and unyielding hope. Through essays, poems, personal stories, photographs, and artworks, it gives voice to those who have risked everything to challenge a brutal regime, offering an intimate and multifaceted portrait of a revolution led by women, for everyone.

Anthologies are usually a mixed bag but what sets this book apart is its emotional depth and the stunning diversity of perspectives it presents. Each contributor - whether an activist, writer, journalist, or artist - brings a unique lens to the movement. These are not abstract stories; they are personal, intimate and visceral, grounded in real pain, real loss, and real triumph. Halasa’s editorial hand is deft and sensitive, weaving these voices together in a way that maintains their individuality while forming a powerful collective narrative. I read it and cried, laughed, felt at the same time devastated and uplifted. One of my favourite essays was cynical “On the Pain of Others, Once Again” by Sara Mokhavat on shallow, performative activism of white Western ‘feminists’.

The visual elements of the book are equally compelling. The inclusion of protest art, street photography, and graphic design underscores the creative resistance that has become a hallmark of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. These images amplify the message, offering a brilliant counterpoint to the text and reinforcing the bravery and defiance of the Iranian people.

Ultimately, “Woman, Life, Freedom” is an essential read - not only for those seeking to understand the uprising in Iran, but for anyone moved by the universal fight for justice and dignity. It is a rallying cry, a memorial, and an act of resistance in its own right. This book will stay with me for a long time. It’s a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments, the human spirit can rise, speak, and inspire global change.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a rich and powerful book, an anthology full of writings and art from women protesting in Iran. As the world seems to have moved on to another conflict (as the world usually does), that quote will stay with me for a while "And what does the world do? It makes a hashtag for me and then it moves on"

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woman, Life, Freedom/ Jin, Jîyan, Azadî became a rallying cry in the protests that rocked Iran after the death of Mahasa Amini in 2022. Social media ensured that what was happening in Tehran could be accessed on every smartphone in the world, and there was an outpouring of solidarity from the rest of the world.
But what does it mean to be a woman in Iran, or a woman of Iranian descent in the years since the Islamic Revolution of 1979? How do they cope with the restrictions placed on them. Do they find a disconnect between their personal faith and what society demands of them. How do they express themselves. How do they access news. And what do they think about the largely symbolic demonstrations of solidarity.
The book contains essays from a diverse set of people. Some are pictorial, others takes the form of interviews. There are reproductions of works from art exhibitions, and deeply personal essays. Some contributors still reside in Iran, while many are emigrees. Together, they paint a picture of a complex society made up of strong and resilient individuals. Too many well meaning Westerners fall into the trope of juxtaposing images of mini skirt clad college students of the 1970s against women donning the mandatory hijab- that is one trap that this book avoids. Women across time, geography and class are denoted as just that- individual women.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The complex world of Iran is conveyed from people (not the press, not academic theory alone, not government approved messages) in this compilation of essays, reflections, art, cartoons, etc. Understanding Iran & all its complexities is nearly impossible for the casual observer: the news rarely tells more than the latest political crisis with foreign countries; you do not read, hear, see, & understand the Iranian people's views. This collection informs the reader/viewer of changes & specifically protest movements in Iran after the death of 22-year-old Jini Mahsa Amini. Changes due to the people, mostly women but also a surge of men who support them, protesting Jini Mahsa Amini's brutal death at the hands of violent police. A critical read...one that reminds you that the people are NOT the same as the violent, corrupt "leaders" of government. Highly recommend.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's taken me months to get through this anthology. The stories in it are hopeful, cynical, depressing, terrifying, sometimes mundane, but always shot through with violence and oppression.

I had to take a lot of breaks to get through the hardest parts. It's not easy reading because no one involved in this project has an easy life.

There's a lot of brave writing in here that feels dangerous to the contributors. I hope they stay safe.

[Steph Beaudoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woman Life Freedom: Voices and Art from the Women’s Protests in Iran, edited by Malu Halasa
This book was an excellent read. It is filled with essays, stories, and art surrounding the 2022 Woman Life Freedom protests and what the future may hold for Iran. Thank you to the brave contributors risking their lives, freedom, and family to be part of this collection.

This is my third book for #25for25

[Isabella Wordsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through stories our ghosts can never know peace, we must wake them up to recount their stories. A beautiful collection of essays and short stories that paint a picture of resistance, strength, determination and pain.

[Tabish Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful collection of essays about the fight for Women's rights in Iran told through short stories, artworks and personal re-collections. It's a truly moving book.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very diverse collections of essays, articles and art works. I was surprised to see so many topics, some quite unexpected (like VPN, for example).

[Nicole Bergen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people are incredible. The women of Iran deserve so much better than the government they've got. The art in this book was fascinating.

[Mariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive but I learned a lot

[Nare Minaeian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of artwork and stories about the brave women and men of Iran who continue to protest for the opportunity to live a free life.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the midst of horrible daily headlines, there are still so many critical causes around the world. Brave people putting themselves at risk for the good of their people, including the countless people in Iran who continue to put their bodies on the line to defy their government.

I learned so much, even as someone who has followed the protests closely since they began following the death of Mahsa Amini. I loved seeing art, street photography, hearing from queer Iranians, and seeing how many women have stopped veiling in public in Tehran. These are not isolated protests, but it is truly a generational movement.

Things are horrible right now but countless people are working to make things better, and for me, supporting and uplifting those people is the thing keeping me sane.