Source:
April 14, 2010

This is the first time that an exhibition with feminism as its subject is being held in Tabriz. What makes the exhibition even more important is its location and timing; this is when taking into consideration that the exhibition crosses the restrictive barriers that have been imposed on the activities of the opposition after the June 2009 presidential election.

According to reports received by RAHANA, in an attempt to highlight some of the various forms of discrimination imposed on women in today’s world, the exhibition consists of 4 separate segments.

“Against Apartheid” features photos of the March 8 celebrations from around the world. It also includes photos from the first March Eid celebrations held in Iran after the Islamic Revolution, as well as pictures of the March 2006 rally in Laleh Park. Another section introduces different personalities who have contributed to the fight for women’s rights, including Marie-Olympe de Gouges Simone de Beauvoir, Clara Zetkin, and Flora Trisan, Shiva Nazar Ahari, Shadi Sadr, Shirin Ebadi, Parvin Ardalan and many more women’s rights activists.

“Apartheid Victims” is the name of a third section of the exhibition which highlights the injustice women are subjected to in a male-dominated world. It features photos on stoning, divorce, female circumcision, women’s right to vote, as well as artwork about Neda Agha Soltan.

Additionally, there is a section for books and essays focusing on women’s issues. Visiting students can participate in the debates taking place in this section of the exhibition.

In a humanitarian initiative, the organizers are also collecting signatures and funds to save the life of a minor offender who has been sentenced to death for throwing a stone 4 years ago and accidentally killing a passer-by. The victim’s family has asked for $50,000 in return for their consent. The petition, which is in the form of a scroll, will be presented to the victim’s family.

The exhibition was initially scheduled for March 8, but the opening was delayed after opposition by the university administration.
For their part, Basij students have reacted by organizing an open-mic event they have called “Feminist Provocations on Azad University Campus”.