Why We Should Celebrate Iranian Women
By My Fars Lady, Editor-in-Chief
Today is International Women’s Day and I’d like take some time to celebrate Iranian women. In the West, the image of Iranian women is simplified to nose-jobs and chadors. While I don’t deny their interest in rhinoplasty, these ordinary women are living under extraordinary circumstances. And the attention they have received so far lacks a depth and an appreciation of theit unique traits:
"Under Western Eyes: Westoxicated" by Hoda Afshar, 2013
Iranian women are reputed for their beauty. That speaks volumes when the majority of their bodies are publicly covered. And yet only being able to see their faces, their manicured nails, and their immaculate eyebrows suffices in pointing out the obvious: “Girls know how to work it.”
But the life of a Persian/Kurdish/Azeri/Lor/Baluchi princess wasn’t always full of catcalls and flattery. Iranian women are the Middle Eastern ugly ducklings who turn into swans. The majority of women in this country are dark-featured. Consequently they are born with forehead-hair and by the time they’re six they already have mustaches. Gradually with time and with pressure from their aunts, these ducklings turn into fierce swans. The secret to their transformation? Iranian women put in the extra effort. Where ever and whenever they go out their blush will be prominent, their eye make-up will be elegant, their lip liner will be defining, their shoes will be polished, and their manteau will be pressed. Fierceness: 24/7.
*All photos are by The Tehran Times and the paintings were posted on their site
I wholeheartedly love having an Iranian mother. Along with many other Iranian mamas, mine is deeply protective, undeniably self-sacrificing, and gloriously loving. She’s a straight-up Iranian lioness (“sheerzan”). Yes, they may give their sons more privileges (so unabashedly pesar dust). But the daughters are lucky enough to become a part of a long line of Iranian mama lionesses. My mother’s generation in particular, both abroad and within Iran, is something else. They have fought by the skin of their teeth to raise their children while struggling with the heartbreaking trials of emigration, the horrifying traumas of the wars, and the sudden upheavals of revolution. That alone deserves infinite respect.
"Kotak" by Darvish Fakhr, 2014
House slippers versus bathroom slippers is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Iranian woman’s affinity for cleanliness. Sometimes it even borders on life-threatening when they bleach (whitex) the kitchen twice a week. (Hey, it’s hard to live in the dusty cities of Iran.) I personally, as an Iranian-American, find it overwhelming at times. But it’s soothing to know that your Iranian grandmother’s OCD ways is helping with serious disease control. At the end of the day, how can you go wrong with an apartment whose “cleanliness is close to godliness”?
If it were up to the women of Iran, then a nuclear deal would have already been made. The Iranian woman’s interest in Europe and North America transcends travel excursions and foreign satellite channels. They’re the bulk of the mass emigration movement. If you meet a woman in Tehran who’s educated, single and 27 years old, then there’s a 99% chance that she’s studying for the IELTS. Their enthusiasm for the West ("gharb shiftegi") is a complex modern phenomenon that necessitates a deep understanding of their circumstances. While it’s depressing to see so many Iranian women eager to emigrate, I deeply respect their tenacity and their drive. They want the world at their fingertips, and why shouldn’t they?
"Flirtation" by Ghazaleh Avarzamani
THE JOON TO MY FESSENJOON
“Iranian women are bad cooks,” said no one ever. Iranian women start as expert tea-servers, transition into competitive rice-makers and ultimately become the quintessential hospitable “housewife” (kadbanou). Iranian food is rich, hearty and lactose-friendly. It necessitates talent, a passion for cooking for three hours and a knack for decorating their soups with Persian motifs. Iranian cuisine is a must-see tourists and the pride of a diaspora, and Iranian women behind cooking it all deserve all the credit.
"Feast No. 1" by Amin Nourani, 2011
The heart of any Iranian family is the matriarch. It’s not easy to emotionally satisfy a tribe of Iranians. But the Iranian woman has enough love and affection to distribute amongst all of her children, grandchildren, siblings, nephews/nieces, and cousins. It’s the Iranian woman and matriarch who unites all her quarrelling children under one roof for lunch. It’s the Iranian woman and matriarch who constructively criticizes you because she knows you’re capable of more. It’s the Iranian and matriarch who teaches you pragmatism and flexibility during a time of overwhelming instability. It’s the Iranian woman and matriarch who instills in you a love for family. <3
IT'S A MAN'S MAN'S MAN'S WORLD
Iranians are sexist. Period. The situation in Iran isn't as oppressive as Western media outlets would make you think. Iranian women are making up 60% of the university body population. And in urban settings they're demonstrating increasing socio-economic independence. Regardless, Iranian women are still routinely degraded, demeaned and disenfranchised both in the public and the private sphere. Women in this country respond by becoming inspiringly resilient. They cling to their families and hold tight onto the peace that they find at home. They compensate for their lack of control over the chaos outside by going OCD on their kitchens. They escape into romantic images of Europe. They majestically sacrifice themselves for their children in order to ensure that they have a better life. They find way to maintain a stunning grace under pressure.
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
While Women's Day in Iran is traditionally celebrated alongside Mother's Day (which is Hazrat Fatima's birthday), I'm taking advantage of all opportunities to celebrate the unique resilience and criminally unexplored depth of the Iranian woman. I hope we can all work together in advocating and developing a multi-dimensional understanding of the Iranian woman.
*All photos from this post are from thetehrantimes.tumblr.com. It's a well-known Iranian fashion blog. Its subjects are notoriously specific to upper socio-economic classes and urban settings. However, it's a refreshing alternative to the Western stereotypes of Iranian women. In addition, it's showcases a lot of great artwork by Iranians.
