In Iranian culture and society, women face numerous cultural barriers and patriarchal structures that shape their experiences and limit their freedoms. These societal norms, often rooted in traditional interpretations of religious and cultural values, create a complex system of restrictions that affects many aspects of women’s lives. In their pursuit of personal freedom and self-expression, Iranian women must navigate a social landscape that frequently limits their choices and voices.
The struggle of Iranian women against these cultural and social barriers is not only a contemporary issue but part of a longer historical continuum, as highlighted in the work of scholars such as Afsaneh Najmabadi. Her research reveals how gender norms and power structures in Iran have evolved over time, showing the dynamic ways in which women resist, negotiate, and adapt to these conditions.
This struggle extends beyond academic discourse and appears in the daily lives of women who challenge these norms through art and everyday acts of defiance. The Invisible Violence was created in response to my personal concerns as well as my research into several of Afsaneh Najmabadi’s essays and books.
The struggle of Iranian women against these cultural and social barriers is not only a contemporary issue but part of a longer historical continuum, as highlighted in the work of scholars such as Afsaneh Najmabadi. Her research reveals how gender norms and power structures in Iran have evolved over time, showing the dynamic ways in which women resist, negotiate, and adapt to these conditions.
This struggle extends beyond academic discourse and appears in the daily lives of women who challenge these norms through art and everyday acts of defiance. The Invisible Violence was created in response to my personal concerns as well as my research into several of Afsaneh Najmabadi’s essays and books.