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🔴 Breaking ❓ Unknown

Mahsa's Mother on International Day of the Girl: Being a Girl Here Has a Cost

Apr 18, 2026 April 18, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

On International Day of the Girl, Mahsa Amini's mother highlighted the dangers faced by girls in Iran, sharing images of her daughter and others killed in protests. The Iranian government continues to suppress dissent, particularly against women, despite international calls for accountability. This situation underscores the ongoing struggle for women's rights and safety in Iran.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The plight of women in Iran remains dire amid ongoing state repression.

👥 Key Players

Mozhgan Ekhtiyari (مژگان اختیاری) ACTOR
Mother of Mahsa Amini
"'Girls don't want a day, they want security.'"
Mahsa Amini (مهسا امینی) TARGET
Victim of police violence
"'the killing of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police'"
Iranian security forces ACCUSED
Repressive force
"'551 Iranian citizens were killed by the security forces of the Islamic Republic'"
United Nations experts QUOTED
Human rights monitors
"'expressed concern about the increasing number of executions'"
Mahsa Amini's father QUOTED
Father of Mahsa Amini
"'a clear warning and protest message' to the Islamic Republic."

⚡ Actions

Mozhgan Ekhtiyari PROTEST Iranian government
"'Girls don't want a day, they want security.'"
Confidence: 90%
Iranian security forces CRACKDOWN 551 Iranian citizens, including 49 women and 68 children
"'Being a girl here has a cost, it is not a congratulation.'"
Confidence: 90%
United Nations experts ANNOUNCE Iranian government
"'called for an immediate halt to this practice and the prosecution of the oppressors.'"
Confidence: 80%

📰 What Happened

Mozhgan Ekhtiyari highlights the dangers faced by girls in Iran amid ongoing protests.

  • Mozhgan Ekhtiyari protest Iranian government
  • Iranian security forces crackdown 551 Iranian citizens, including 49 women and 68 children
  • United Nations experts announce Iranian government

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Because the situation highlights the ongoing repression of women and girls.
🌍 Regional: Because it reflects broader issues of human rights and governance in the region.
🌐 International: Because it raises concerns about accountability for human rights violations.

📚 Background

The plight of women in Iran remains dire amid ongoing state repression.

📝 Key Evidence

"'Girls don't want a day, they want security.'"
→ Highlights the demand for safety among girls in Iran.
"'Being a girl here has a cost, it is not a congratulation.'"
→ Indicates the dangers faced by girls in Iran.
📡 Source: INTERNATIONAL
📊 Confidence: 80%
VOA Persian is known for reporting on human rights issues in Iran.

Mozhgan Ekhtiyari, the mother of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, on Friday, October 20, coinciding with International Day of the Girl, reminded once again of the dire situation of women and girls in Iran by sharing photos of Mahsa and other girls and women killed in recent protests. In her first Instagram story, she shared a photo of Mahsa and said, 'Girls don't want a day, they want security.' In another story, she posted a photo of her daughter along with several girls and women killed by the Iranian security forces, stating, 'Being a girl here has a cost, it is not a congratulation.' During the nationwide protests against the killing of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police, 551 Iranian citizens were killed by the security forces of the Islamic Republic, including 49 women and 68 children. The Islamic Republic has intensified its crackdown on Iranian women and girls, ignoring repeated calls from the international community to hold accountable those responsible for the repression during the protests. In this context, a group of United Nations experts expressed concern about the increasing number of executions, especially against women and girls active in the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, and called for an immediate halt to this practice and the prosecution of the oppressors. Mahsa Amini's father praised the 'general strike' on the second anniversary of his daughter's death as a 'clear warning and protest message' to the Islamic Republic. Reports indicate a strike by businesses in Kurdish cities on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death. The condemnation of the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi; dozens of activists and former political prisoners stated that the government wants to escape from crises. Mahsa Amini's parents congratulated the 'noble nation of Iran': Nowruz heralds courage for dignity and freedom from servitude. Reactions to the government's dual behavior regarding mandatory hijab; Mahsa Amini's mother said: 'You killed my daughter for this.'

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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