Student aims to empower girls in Iran to follow dreams
A student from Bath is empowering disabled women in Tehran by raising money to provide them with wheelchairs.
Sharareh Houshmandyar is a pharmacy and pharmacology PHD student at the University of Bath.
Sharareh is originally from Iran but has been living and studying in Bath for almost 12 years.
Last summer she went to Tehran to meet her parents and took the chance to visit the only school for girls with physical and/or mental disabilities. She also visited an institute where some of the girls live.
Sharareh said: “Since then I have been engaging with both school and the institute as a volunteer. I have been trying my best to empower these disabled girls, as there is stigmatisation or wrong attitudes (the traditional belief that, for example, women cannot study science) within the society where these girls cannot feel confident to pursue their dreams.
“I have taught them whatever I have been learning from being a Bath female resident where there is equality from gender to disability perspectives.
“I have also had a chance to share my experience in science at University of Bath with them and the fact that a woman from the same origin can be a scientist has inspired them to work toward being a researcher in the future.
“Around two months ago I heard that a few of these girls’ illnesses have developed rapidly in a way that they are not able to use a manual wheelchair, rather they require an electronic one.”
Since then Sharareh has raised £1,000 to buy three wheelchairs, which she will present on her next trip to Tehran which she embarks on today.
Sharareh has arranged to surprise the girls by turning up to their International Women’s Day celebrations.
Due to coronavirus, schools in Tehran have been closed till further notice.
Sharareh said: “I will do my best to help the students with their science and English so their studying would not be interrupted too much.
“I will continue to hold our gatherings to share my experience as an independent woman in science and society.
“I am aiming to inspire them to overcome taboos so they can achieve their dreams regardless of what beliefs exist within society.”
Sharareh will stay for the Iranian New Year to celebrate with her family and the girls. She will then return to Bath to finish her PHD.