Narges Mohammadi, a human rights and women’s rights activist in Iran, has faced significant persecution and imprisonment for her advocacy. Ms. Mohammadi has spent much of the last 30 years in and out of prison and has lost her career, health, time with her family, and liberty due to her activism and writing. She is currently serving a 10-year sentence in Evin prison for “spreading anti-state propaganda.” Despite all of this, Ms. Mohammadi remains determined to fight for change and democracy in Iran. She has been awarded the Barbey Freedom to Write Award and named one of three recipients of the United Nations World Press Freedom Prize this year. Her husband, who is also a well-known activist and writer, and her twin children live in exile in France. Ms. Mohammadi’s decades-long efforts have helped raise awareness in Iran of human and women’s rights issues, and she believes that change must come from within the country through the development of a robust civil society. In prison, she continues to lead workshops for fellow inmates, sing and play music, and conduct research on prison conditions and the emotional impact of solitary confinement in Iran. Despite everything, Ms. Mohammadi’s determination, resilience, and refusal to be a victim remain a source of inspiration for her supporters and activists worldwide.
