Joya v. Ebadi

As Shirin Ebadi’s memoir progresses, she begins to discuss the many armed-conflicts Iran faced throughout her lifetime. At this point in the memoir, Iran was intertwined in two different wars. Facing battle against Iraq, Iran not only had to fight against Western military technology, but also had to face civil war. Two groups emerged from the civil war, those following Ayatollah Khomeini and the MKO, or Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization. These two groups ultimately represented two extreme ends on the political spectrum. After defeating Iraq, Iran was still ruled by Ayatollah Khomeini, and oppression of its people increased drastically.

The parallels between the oppression Afghani women are facing and women in Iran are impossible to ignore. Before the defeat of Iraq in Iran, Iranian women were allowed to walk the streets without a headscarf. They were free to roam the streets in whatever attire they pleased, without fear of being arrested. However, once Ayatollah Khomeini tightened his reigns, women began to face more oppression. If seen outside without a headscarf on, they would be immediately arrested. Of course, jails in Iran are not monitored or regulated by the government. Inmates are beaten and tortured on a regular basis. In A Woman Among Warlords, Malalai Joya discusses the same oppression women were facing. Not only were they subjected to wear confining burkas, but they were not even allowed to walk outside without a male relative as an escort.

The difference between Malalai Joya and Shirin Ebadi is their approaches to seeking reform in their countries. Both are seen as women and human rights activists. Malalai takes a hands-on approach to her battle. She openly condemns the government currently reigning in Afghanistan. She has no filters when she speaks and ultimately aims to raise awareness around the world about the human rights violations in Afghanistan. Throughout our class, most were quite vocal that Malalai was incorrect in her approach to seeking change. Many claimed she needed to join politics to make change.

Shirin Ebadi was a judge, making her actively involved in politics. Apparently, this is a more “acceptable” way to try to change the ideals of overbearing corrupt warlords. However, it is quite apparent that Shirin Ebadi makes no progress as a politician. Instead, she simply gives up and retires as soon as she is given a pension. “’Maryam, why did you even become a judge in the first place?’” I asked. ‘I can’t believe you’re willing to abandon your principles like this’” (74). It is heartbreaking that a woman who claims to be a woman’s rights activist readily gives up a job of power, not even willing to fight against an oppressive government. Although many will disagree with Malalai’s choices, at least she will not back down to the warlords.

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