Over the weekend, I attended a few events which replenished my soul and ensure I continue to play my part in helping the Women, Life, Freedom revolution.
The first was a rally in Sydney attended by a passionate group which included an amazing speech by Mehreen Faruqi, a Greens Senator. Excitingly, there were three Iranian women candidates also running for the NSW State election.
- Masoomeh Asgari (Auburn)
- Tina Kordrostami (Castle Hill)
- Minoo Toussi (Penrith)
It’s wonderful to see the Iranian diaspora in Australia maturing and stepping into the political arena. Wishing these three fierce women the best for the election in a few weeks.
The other event I attended was at the Opera House as part of its program ‘All About Women’. The conversation was facilitated by Kylie Gilbert Moore with the panelists including Saba Vasefi, Gelareh Pour and Shokoofeh Azar.
It was a sell-out event attended by all walks of life. There was a real buzz in the audience as they shared their experiences with humour, humility and defiance. Their success in Australia, a testament not only to their tenacity, but also their talent. They spoke of the freeing nature of moving to Australia and having to re-wire their brain to break out of the narrow social confines they had grown up in. This is what we all want for all women in Iran.
I particularly liked the event because it not only helps educate, but is part of an ongoing dialogue that we need to continue to engage in to built human connections with the broader Australian community. My view is that if we want the government to do more, then more Australians need to demand action. If they are to demand action, they need to know more about Iran and its culture. This is a longer term strategy, but I hope that we can seize this moment to continue to build shared experiences and connections.
So as I close out the weekend, I am more determined than ever to play my part. I am intent on holding the Australian government to account for their lack of action thus far and am demanding that they do more, particularly for the girls that are under chemical attack as they go to school.
I am going to write not only to the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister, but will also write to opposition figures who have been so far more supportive. Will you join me in standing up for Iranian school girls?
Luckily, I’ve done the hard part and a new letter template is available HERE. Please use this as you wish. Add your own flair and content if you wish, but please please send it!
Be azadi. Women, life, freedom.
Women, Life, Freedom 