‘THE PROTESTER II / ZAN ZENDEGI AZADI’
2025

The inspiration for this illustration was Mohammad Rasoulof’s film The Seed of the Sacred Fig, which is loosely based on the Mahsa Amini protests of 2022–2023. These protests were largely led by women, who rose up after Mahsa Amini was arrested and died in the custody of the “morality police” for allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory hijab law. Protesters demanded greater rights for women and the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, expressing their defiance by removing and burning headscarves and cutting their hair.

The slogan “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi” — “Woman, Life, Freedom” — originating from the Kurdish freedom movement, became a rallying cry that spread globally. In Iran, it was a central motif in protests, art, online culture, and even pop culture, notably through the song “Baraye” by musician Shervin Hajipour.

This illustration is part of an ongoing series celebrating women from diverse fields, cultures, and countries, engaging in activities traditionally perceived as masculine and redefining the boundaries of gender.