This study explores the intersection of oppression and resilience among Iranian women activists through a qualitative, narrative-based approach that incorporates autobiographical elements. Grounded in feminist theory, intersectionality, and resilience studies within authoritarian contexts, the research offers a nuanced analysis of women’s agency under systemic repression. Drawing on the lived experiences of five activists who endured imprisonment, the study examines how these women construct meaning and sustain resistance through shared narratives and mutual support. This methodological framework aligns with Sandra Harding’s (1991) argument that situated knowledge is essential for addressing structural inequities, emphasizing the epistemic value of marginalized perspectives. By critically engaging with dominant discourses that often reduce Iranian women’s struggles to veiling, victimhood, or Western-centric paradigms of emancipation, the research seeks to decolonize and diversify understandings of activism. Highlighting collaborative and community-based strategies, the study demonstrates the transformative potential of locally grounded, intersectional practices in reconfiguring oppressive social and political structures.

Authors:
Raha Sabet Sarvestany, Abo Akademi, Finland

About the Presenter(s)
Her interdisciplinary research explores gender, minorities, migration, culture, religion, academic freedom, and social movements, primarily focusing on Iran and South Asia. Her current work examines migration and political activism in the Middle East

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/raha-sabet-sarvestany-56b7a159/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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