In this interview by Surayya from Purposeful Professional Media, Fariba Parsa, a scholar, social entrepreneur, author, and advocate for women's rights, discusses her upcoming book titled 'Fighting for Change in Iran: The Women, Life, Freedom Philosophy Against Political Islam,' which will be published on Amazon. Fariba shares the motivations behind her book, which include the women's rights movements in Iran, particularly following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini.

Fariba elaborates on her early activism since high school, her experiences living in different countries such as India, Denmark, Germany, and the U.S., and how these experiences have informed her advocacy work. She speaks about founding the nonprofit organization WELL, dedicated to empowering Iranian and Afghan women through leadership training, mentorship, and global networking. Fariba also discusses her vision for a future where Iranian women enjoy democratic freedoms and equality, and her hope for the global solidarity of women’s movements.

About Dr. Fariba Parsa:

Dr. Fariba Parsa is the founder and president of Women’s E-Learning in Leadership, WELL, a non-profit organization in Virginia. The mission of WELL is to empower women and contribute to democracy through online leadership education, and global networking. The organization provides leadership training for potential leaders, developed a digital library focused on women’s rights, and video interviews.  

Dr. Parsa specializes in democracy and women’s rights in Iran. She worked as an assistant professor at George Mason University and has conducted research at Harvard University and the University of Maryland. Dr. Parsa was born and raised in Iran and lived in Denmark for several years and has worked with Danish organizations on human rights. She was elected as a board member of a number of organizations, such as the Danish National Women’s Council.

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Exciting Announcement 00:18 Meet Fariba: Scholar, Author, and Advocate 00:51 The Inspiration Behind the Book 02:05 Understanding the Women's Movement in Iran 03:49 Challenges and Hopes for Iranian Women 04:52 Global Solidarity and Western Perspective 06:57 Key Takeaways from the Book 08:05 The Intersection of Politics and Religion 19:27 Fariba's Nonprofit Journey 27:08 Lessons Learned as an Entrepreneur 33:00 Personal Experiences and Advocacy 43:23 Global Citizenship and Cultural Insights 49:57 Future Vision and Long-Term Goals 55:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts