A Liverpool woman has spoken out over the oppression of women in Iran as protesters take to the city's streets to oppose a crackdown by Iranian security forces.
The death of Mahsa Amini and claims of widespread attacks on women’s rights in Iran has sparked worldwide outrage. 36-year-old Goli, an Iranian woman living in Liverpool, is among those raising the alarm over the issue in Liverpool.
Goli, who has lived in Liverpool for around 10 years, said she "loves the city", and because of this has taken on the responsibility of raising awareness of the Iranian regime locally, as well as showing solidarity towards the people of Iran - an issue close to her due to the fact that her sister is currently living in the country.
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Protests began with the death of Mahsa Amini, after she was accused of breaching Iran’s strict laws requiring women to wear a hijab or headscarf in order to cover their hair. Her death was met with protests across Iran and soon the world.
Protests have since continued and aim to gain both justice for Mahsa Amini and greater freedoms for the women of Iran. Goli recounted her shock upon hearing of Mahsa Amini’s death and said "it could be me, it could be my sister.”
In recent weeks, Goli, along with local Iranian group "Women, Life, Freedom" have organised a weekly march from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral to John Lewis in Liverpool One. The marches take place every Sunday and aim to "show Iran that we care and that it is our problem", according to Goli.
Goli believes that the marches are particularly important because "we have our voice" whereas women in Iran, like Goli’s sister, are having to fight to use theirs. She said: "we need to show them that we feel their pain and that we are here."
People interested in supporting the group can check on their instagram @women_life_freedom_liverpool for updates.
