Photo Essay: Iranian Women in Post-Election Protests

06/23/09  Print This Post Print This Post    6 Comments   Popular   Written by Julie Schwietert
  • Stumble It
Perhaps their actions won’t result in the kind of political change they desire. But Iranian women’s en masse presence in the post-election protests is both powerful and significant.

Photo via: misterarasmus

By now, she’s a household name.

Neda Agha-Soltan, who was killed by a sniper over the weekend, became a media sensation overnight, thanks, in part, to the circulation of the video which documented her death as it was occurring.

But for all the focus on Agha-Soltan–who was not actually participating in a protest–there are thousands more Iranian women who have taken to the streets, risking social, political, and religious condemnation, as well as their very lives.

Here are images of some of them:

Photo via: misterarasmus

Photo via: .faramarz

Photo via: .faramarz

Photo via: .faramarz


  • Stumble It

About the Author

Matador ID: collazo

Julie Schwietert is the managing editor of Matador Network. She contributed a chapter to the recently published book, The Voluntary Traveler, and is currently working on five features for Fodor's Puerto Rico, 6th Edition.

6 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Eva replied on June 23, 2009

    Neda wasn’t protesting?

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Julie Schwietert replied on June 23, 2009

    Not according to the NY Times; she was merely riding in a car near a street where protests were occurring when she got out of the car for some fresh air and was shot. In fact, the article (linked above) described her as rather apolitical. Interestingly, the US media and many US politicians, have portrayed her as a political martyr.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Ryan Van Lenning replied on June 23, 2009

    Powerful! Since I don’t know how to say it in Farsi, “Viva las Mujeres!!”

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Eva replied on June 24, 2009

    Huh, wow. So many different variations circulating on her. The LAT says she’d always been apolitical, but that she was stirred to action over the election results.

    http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-neda23-2009jun23,0,366975,full.story

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Julie Schwietert replied on June 24, 2009

    Eva-

    It IS interesting– and I think it brings us back around to the issues we’ve been discussing over on Change about the use, reliability, and reliance upon social media (Twitter, YouTube, etc.) in the reporting about what’s going on in Iran.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Eva replied on June 24, 2009

    Agreed. It really makes you think, when two major MSM sources are reporting two completely different sets of “facts” – while bloggers, Twitter, etc are criticized for spreading rumors. This all will make a fascinating media study someday, assuming some missing puzzle pieces can be filled in once things calm down in Iran.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply

Leave a Comment

Jump To Category:



Explore the Community


Latest Community Blogs

  • The best way to arrive into Edinburgh is by train. After Haymarket station, the city opens up, unfurling bit by bit as t...
    » posted on 19 November 2009
  • Tuesday, November 3: Up at 7:00 to put the coffee on, shower, and slip out onto the balcony while Adolfo slumbers on. An...
    » posted on 19 November 2009
  • The large express bus pulled into the square, and Justine was one of the first to alight.  She wore a blue raincoat...
    » posted on 19 November 2009

Popular Stories on Matador

How to Move to Paris with No Money

This is for Americans with insufficient funds, but with... 

Hostel Sex: A Practical Guide For Backpackers

Getting it wherever a backpacker can...... 

10 Traveler's Tips For Rocking A Nudist Beach

Travelers tend to enjoy ultimate freedom on the road, t... 

12 Personal Travel Websites That Will Make You Quit Your Day Job

... 

Drunk and Driving On Berlin’s Beer Bike

Cars nervously skirt by the slowly moving vehicle, tour... 

10 Multi-Use Items You Should Consider Packing

... 



Focus



Editor Blogs