In September 2022, the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman detained by Tehran’s morality police, ignited one of the most powerful protest movements in Iran’s modern history. Across the country, women and young people have risked their lives demanding justice, freedom, and equality.

Iranian climber Nasim Eshqi, one of the country’s pioneering female athletes, has spoken openly about the uprising and her personal journey. In a recent conversation, she shared her reflections on the struggle for women’s rights, her decision to leave Iran, and the unbreakable spirit of Iranian women.

Leaving Home for Freedom

Q: Where are you now, Nasim?

Nasim: I’m currently in Italy, staying with friends. After a climbing trip in France, I decided not to return home. It wasn’t an impulsive choice — it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. But after everything that happened with Mahsa Amini, I realized I could no longer live under constant self-censorship.

“Climbing Has Lost Its Meaning”

Q: How have recent events changed your outlook?

Nasim: Normally when I travel, I live only for the mountains — I move from one climbing area to another, fully focused on rock and routes. But since Mahsa’s death, that’s changed completely. It’s hard to find joy in climbing right now. I keep thinking, that could have been me.

Years ago, I was arrested in Iran. I was shouted at, humiliated, and detained. After that, I was too afraid to leave my house for months. That fear is exactly what the regime wants — to silence and paralyze women.

A Voice for Iranian Women

Q: Many women in Iran have endured similar experiences.

Nasim: Sadly, yes — and that’s why so many of us feel deeply connected to Mahsa. Her story is our story. There’s a collective sense of grief, anger, and powerlessness. That’s why I’ve been trying to amplify the voices of women back home — constantly communicating, sharing messages, and using social media despite internet restrictions.

The government is brutally attacking its own people. In Europe, students are celebrated for their curiosity and progress. In Iran, university students are being surrounded, beaten, and threatened by armed forces. It’s devastating — it feels like a war against the young.

Resilience Amid Repression

Q: How are you staying updated about what’s happening in Iran?

Nasim: Despite the internet being heavily restricted, there are still ways to bypass censorship and send messages abroad. I receive daily updates from people risking everything to document the truth. Using hashtags like #MahsaAmini, we try to keep global attention on the movement. What’s happening is not just a protest — it’s a revolution for dignity and women’s rights.

A New Generation of Courage

Q: How are these protests different from past movements?

Nasim: The repression is harsher than ever, but the solidarity is stronger too. This time, all generations, all ethnic and social groups are united. There’s no single leader — the people themselves are leading. The younger generation is fearless. They’re tired of being told how to live, what to wear, and who to be.

Freedom Comes with Sacrifice

Q: What do you think will happen next?

Nasim: Real freedom always comes at a cost. Many have already paid that price with their lives. But I believe we will prevail.

The world must understand the importance of what’s happening in Iran. Western governments can’t just offer sympathy — they need to act. The elite who profit from the system shouldn’t be allowed to enjoy luxury lives abroad while ordinary Iranians suffer.

It might take time, but change is inevitable. Iranian women have immense strength — if we can give life, we can also change the future.

Women Leading a Revolution

Q: Can these protests truly challenge the regime?

Nasim: The courage of Iranian women is extraordinary. They are beaten, arrested, and even killed, yet they keep standing up. The regime fears them — because self-determined women are the foundation of a free society. When women are free, their children and their communities will be too.

How the World Can Help

Q: What role can the international community — and especially climbers — play?

Nasim: Awareness is power. Share information, talk about it, keep the conversation alive. No one should be able to say they didn’t know what was happening in Iran. Each voice adds strength to the movement.

Eshqi’s message is clear: the struggle for women’s freedom in Iran is not only political — it’s deeply human. Her story reminds us that courage often begins with a single act of defiance and that solidarity knows no borders.