“Details of the Grand Gathering of the Country’s Women Economic Activists”

Marjan Hoshyar, Chairwoman of the Board of the Employers’ Association of Women Active in the Construction Economy, stated: “The Employers’ Association of Women Active in the Construction Economy was established in 2018 with the guidance of senior organizational experts and Dr. Seifi. The Association aimed to promote collective wisdom and collaboration within a formal structure. Even during the COVID‑19 pandemic, our activities did not stop. This Association interacts internationally with countries such as Australia. Today, we need new experiences and familiarity with international standards. Within this Association, we aim to teach business regulations through continuous training and by learning from global experiences. This organization defends the rights of its members in various institutions. Iranian women have only recently entered the country’s economic arena, yet the participation rate of educated women has been high. We are practicing the collective reasoning of women within a specialized sector. Our goal is to distinguish the right path from the wrong one to help future generations. We do not seek financial gain in this Association; the women of this land have come together to support new entrepreneurs.”

During the event, a dedicated panel was held. Dr. Khadijeh Yareali, the panel moderator, said: “The stories of women economic activists are always inspiring and uplifting. Whenever I hear their stories, I become hopeful about development. Opportunities and capabilities are always attractive to young female students. I hope this panel helps enhance the impact of successful role models.”

Maryam Gershasbi also noted: “I hope we can support those who have just started their businesses. I began working in 2005 as an apprentice and officially launched my business in 2014. I always say that when I started, my colleagues realized I was capable, and that’s why they helped me. Experience becomes beautiful when you remain calm in the worst situations. This experience has brought me peace, and that is the most beautiful thing.”

Dr. Zohreh Hassani, referring to the challenges she faced, said: “Unfortunately, the problem is that we do not identify our true interests; we simply choose a field of study. Interest is very important. I was 23 when I went directly into construction. My first experience was completing a project in just 15 days. What matters in other countries is your ability. In a project in Iraq, I realized they do not have a gender‑based perspective. That’s when you truly understand how successful you are.”

Nahid Alizadeh added: “I salute the women and girls of my homeland who pursue their beliefs, and I honor our parents. When I started working, I had no university education; later, I gained knowledge. If you begin with awareness and knowledge, your work will progress. During the three years of the COVID‑19 pandemic, a few of us women went to Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, and started our work — and that’s why we succeeded. Women in Kurdistan are known for their hard work.”

Dr. Nazila Nourfardi spoke about the challenges in her field of firefighting: “None of us forget the night before the university entrance exam. I believe pressure, excitement, and anxiety will always exist, and life always brings its own difficulties — and they matter.”

It is worth noting

This post is also available in: Persian