Published TUESDAY February 27, 2024: 'UNVEILING RESISTANCE' Women Changing Iran by ZUMA Partner agency dpa photo-journalist Arne Immanuel Bansch: Iranian women have suffered multiple hardships in recent years, from economic sanctions to COVID-19 to the struggle for bodily autonomy and the right to choose what they wear in public. In the face of such adversity, Iranian women have exhibited remarkable resilience, employing various coping mechanisms, helping to provide for their loved ones and in the process, improving their status within families and society at large. Today they work as car mechanics, race through the desert on motorcycles or run successful businesses. In a society in transition, Iran's women are challenging traditional role models and creating facts away from politics. Welcome to 'UNVEILING RESISTANCE' Women Changing Iran
© zReportage.com Issue #928 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY February 27, 2024: 'UNVEILING RESISTANCE' Women Changing Iran by ZUMA Partner agency dpa photo-journalist Arne Immanuel Bansch: Iranian women have suffered multiple hardships in recent years, from economic sanctions to COVID-19 to the struggle for bodily autonomy and the right to choose what they wear in public. In the face of such adversity, Iranian women have exhibited remarkable resilience, employing various coping mechanisms, helping to provide for their loved ones and in the process, improving their status within families and society at large. Today they work as car mechanics, race through the desert on motorcycles or run successful businesses. In a society in transition, Iran's women are challenging traditional role models and creating facts away from politics. Welcome to 'UNVEILING RESISTANCE' Women Changing Iran

Iranian MARIAM TALAI is a female professional motorsports athlete, and is known beyond Iran's borders. The 43-year-old became famous because of her love of motorsports. Women in motorcycle racing was unthinkable in Iran a few years ago. 'Other athletes used to make fun of us,' says Talai. While more and more women are discovering motorsport for themselves, they are officially not allowed to get a motorcycle license in Iran.
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press

Iranian motorsport athlete MARIAM TALAI sits in her apartment in the capital Tehran and feeds her numerous dogs. The 43-year-old became famous through her love for motorsports. Talai also runs an animal shelter in the wasteland around 100 kilometers outside the metropolis. 150 dogs live there. That's not always easy, she says. Dogs are considered unclean in traditional Muslim circles.
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press

NILUFAR FARAHMAND is a female Iranian auto mechanic in Tehran. She has asserted herself in a male domain and has become known through Instagram. 'The biggest challenge was learning in a male environment and not getting into problems.' The 32-year-old gave the example of finding work clothes that meet Islamic dress codes.
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press

Iranian car mechanics NILUFAR FARAHMAND (L) and KIANA YARAHMADI (R) work under the hood of a car. The two women are considered pioneers after starting a career as auto mechanics in Iran. 'The biggest challenge was learning in a male environment and not getting into problems.' The 32-year-old gave the example of finding work clothes that meet Islamic dress codes.
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press

Iranian Carpenter SAHAR BIGLARI knows only too well what it's like to work in a male-dominated trade and be underestimated. It all started with a table that she wanted to buy but couldn't find. So she decided to build the table herself. The beginning wasn't easy. 'Most of the reactions were bad, especially at the beginning when I was buying wood.' Her Instagram page finally helped her achieve her business breakthrough.
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press

Iranian carpenter SAHAR BIGLARI, builds wooden furniture at her workshop in the capital Tehran. Working in a male-dominated trade and therefore being underestimated is something Sahar knows all too well. In her carpentry store in western Tehran, the 41-year-old tells how she dared to make a fresh start in her career as a career changer shortly before the start of the corona pandemic.
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press

Iranian SARA MUSTAFANEJAD is a female bodybuilder in Tehran. As one of the few female bodybuilders in Iran, Sara has always met resistance and sometimes had problems with the authorities. The strength athlete is in her early 40s, lives in a quiet suburb of the capital Tehran, and has her own gym.
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press

Female Iranian bodybuilder SARA MUSTAFANEJAD, works out in her gym in the capital Tehran. As one of Iran's few female bodybuilders, Sara has always faced resistance, and at times has had problems with the authorities. Despite the strict clothing rules, the beauty industry in Iran is booming. Mostafanejad also views this with concern, 'women want to become more and more beautiful and fitter and therefore undergo cosmetic procedures.' The bodybuilder now practices her sport more as a hobby, even if she is ambitious. There are no competitions for women anyway.
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press

KIANA YARAHMADI, is a female auto mechanic in Tehran. She has asserted herself in a male domain and has become known through Instagram. Skeptical customer looks are now a thing of the past, as Yarahmadi says. 'Today, customers come to us with their cars and our presence on social media has created a certain level of trust.'
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press

Iranian car mechanics NILUFAR FARAHMAND (L) and KIANA YARAHMADI (R) work under the hood of a car. The two women are considered pioneers after starting a career as auto mechanics in Iran. They have become well known through the Instagram social media platform. 'Skeptical customer looks are now a thing of the past', as Yarahmadi says. 'Today, customers come to us with their cars and our presence on social media has created a certain level of trust.'
© Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa via ZUMA Press