Understanding Women, Life, Freedom

This is an event to understand our Iranian neighbours. Learn about the conflicts but also their art. Questions and conversations encouraged This is an opportunity to hear about the conflicts that have been happening in Iran, including the recent killing of the young girl, Mahsa Amini, but the oppression has been going on for decades. Many Iranian families have chosen to live in Richmond Hill and nearby. They are hurting. They are asking for allies.

There will be 2 speakers, and Iranian music and an exhibit from local Iranian artists. Iranian teas and pastries will be served after the talk.

Lily Pourzand – “The Women Life Freedom uprising and 44 years of Gender Apartheid Regime’s Systematic Oppression ” Lily Pourzand is a Social Services leader with over a decade of leadership practices in Canada’s Violence Against Women sector. She is an expert in gender-based violence, equity, intersectionality, inclusivity, and accessibility. She is the Director of Programs at Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. Lily is a first-generation immigrant woman who came to Canada for political safety and personal freedom in 1999 after graduating from law school in Tehran, Iran. Lily graduated from York University with a Bachelor’s in Women and Gender studies in 2007. She continued her education and graduated with a Master’s in law from the Osgoode Hall Law school in 2010, focusing on the intersection of socio-legal barriers in women’s lives.

Kaveh Shahrooz – “The Roots of Revolution: Four Decades of Murder, Apartheid, and Resistance in Iran” Kaveh is a lawyer and human rights activist, and a Senior Fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a public policy think tank. He is also a former Senior Policy Advisor on human rights to Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs. A graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Toronto, he has written widely on human rights issues and international affairs, including in the Wall Street Journal, the National Post, the Globe & Mail, and Maclean’s. He led the successful 2013 effort that convinced Canada’s parliament to recognize the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran as crimes against humanity.

A Q&A will follow their talks.

Local Iranian artists will be displaying their creations. Their art is beautiful and diverse. Flora Bakhtiari Azadeh Hoveyda Roxana Khoshsokhan Raheleh Mirheydari Manizhe Sabet Shiva Moghaddasi

Following the talks refreshments, including Persian teas and pastries will be served in the adjacent Centennial Hall.

The proceeds from the event will be given to the hosts of the event, the Richmond Hill United Church, to continue to support many social justice programs. Tickets will be available at the door for $20 cash.