Breaking the Silence

In the summer of 2012, I called my mother in Iran from Norway.
"I want to do something groundbreaking—an all-women performance in Tehran. Are you in?
"Without hesitation, she said, "Of course! But what about your father?"
"Do what you’ve been doing for the last 40 years—don’t tell him anything."
We laughed. And just like that, the plan was set in motion.
The play? The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler.
I had performed it across Norway and Germany, but I knew that all my advocacy for women’s rights meant nothing if I didn’t have the courage to stage it in Iran.I needed three more women.
First, I reached out to an Iranian actress I had met in Brussels. She was in Tehran at the time and agreed instantly.
"Just tell me when you’re coming," she said.
Then, through a friend studying in India, I was introduced to Shirin, a master’s student in international law. She was on board, as long as rehearsals didn’t interfere with her exams. She even brought another friend into the project.
Now, I just needed permission from the playwright.
I wrote to Eve Ensler, explaining everything. The very next day, she responded—not only with official permission, but with her full support, sending a letter of encouragement and blessings from the global women’s movement (1).
With that, I flew to Tehran, and we began rehearsals.
On February 14, 2013, we performed for our first audience—a group of psychologists and social workers who worked with survivors of violence. Their reaction? Shock.
But our next audience was different. We performed for women who had experienced violence themselves. Unlike the professionals, they embraced the performance without hesitation.
They weren’t afraid. They were ready.
The performance was followed by a discussion panel and here too, they were already ahead of the experts.
From there, we performed in private homes, each show followed by deep, unfiltered discussions.
And through it all, my mother was the beating heart of it all.
A fearless, outspoken woman.
A shield for all of us.



1- V-Day is a global activist movement founded by playwright Eve Ensler in 1998 to end violence against women and girls. The movement was inspired by Ensler's groundbreaking play, The Vagina Monologues, which explores women's experiences with sexuality, body image, oppression, and empowerment.Since its inception, V-Day has used performances of The Vagina Monologues as a tool for awareness, fundraising, and activism. Each year, around February 14th (V-Day), thousands of benefit performances are staged worldwide, with proceeds supporting local anti-violence organizations, rape crisis centers, and shelters.