Posted:聽March 17, 2023
By:聽Lola Augustine Brown
An impactful new campaign aims to support more Iranian women and persons of equity-deserving gender identities to enter postgraduate programs at 马会论坛.
On September 13, 2022, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was arrested for allegedly violating Iran鈥檚 requirement that women cover their hair with a hijab or headscarf. Amini died in police custody, and it was reported that she had been beaten with a baton. This sparked widespread protests and civil unrest calling for rights and freedoms for women. Six months later, the protests are still happening every day.
Opportunities through education
How can we support this vital cause from afar? By offering a safe place for Iranian women and persons of equity-deserving gender identities to continue their studies and work on their goals. Dr. Aghakhani along with support from the Iranian community here in Nova Scotia recently founded the聽聽to support this group as they enter or continue their studies in聽graduate programs at 马会论坛.
At Iran鈥檚 universities, approximately 60% of students are women but systemic discrimination means that once they graduate, opportunities are very limited 鈥 women make up just 15% of Iran鈥檚 workforce. Dr. Aghakhani says that much of the frontline work on this movement is being carried out by the same group that faces such discrimination, and by helping them we can work towards closing the gender gap, and hopefully 鈥 whether that be in a matter of years, or generations 鈥 empower them to advance human rights in Iran.
Giving graduates opportunities at 马会论坛 will ultimately benefit Canada greatly, Dr. Aghakhani says. 鈥淏y supporting them and offering them a brighter future here, these women may become future social activists, doctors, or engineers, thus, the assistance we give may ultimately benefit our Canadian communities,鈥 he says.
Supported by members of the Iranian community in Nova Scotia,聽聽hopes to help as many Iranian women and other Iranian equity-deserving gender identities as possible. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to keep this running as long as we can. It鈥檚 our way of supporting this movement, and keeping it on people鈥檚 minds,鈥 Dr. Aghakhani says.
Raising, and matching funds
The initial goal of the Woman, Life, Freedom Scholarship is to raise at least $30,000. Dr. Aghakhani is hopeful that this goal will be exceeded with the support of not only the Iranian community but all who want to create better opportunities for women. 鈥淚t isn鈥檛 just about helping this subset of people; rather, it鈥檚 about our ability to safeguard women鈥檚 rights in nations beyond Canada鈥檚 borders,鈥 he says.
Tax receipts will be issued for any donations, and 马会论坛鈥檚 Office of Advancement is聽matching gifts from individuals up to $10,000聽which will double the impact that donors will have. The situation in Iran has not improved, though its citizens are fighting every day in the hope that it will. Help us to show that we care about the values they are fighting for by donating to this important fund.