Shahla Sherkat facts for kids

Shahla Sherkat (born March 30, 1956) is an important Iranian journalist, writer, and publisher. She is also a strong supporter of women's rights and has worked hard to improve the lives of women in Iran. She is known as one of the first people to lead the movement for women's rights in her country.

Shahla Sherkat's Early Life and Education

Shahla Sherkat was born in Isfahan, a city in Iran. She studied psychology at Tehran University and also learned about journalism at the Keyhan Institute in Tehran. Later, starting in 2002, she began studying for her master's degree in women's studies at Allameh Tabatabai University.

Promoting Women's Voices Through Magazines

Shahla Sherkat is famous for starting and publishing Zanan magazine. The word "Zanan" means "women" in English. This magazine focused on important issues for Iranian women. It bravely talked about topics like how politics could be improved and other challenges women faced. Zanan became a very important magazine for women in Iran after the Iranian Revolution.

After Zanan magazine was published for 16 years, it was no longer allowed to be printed. But Shahla Sherkat did not give up. She then started a new magazine called Zanan-e Emruz, which means "Today's Women."

Facing Challenges for Her Work

Because Zanan magazine discussed important and sometimes sensitive topics, Shahla Sherkat had to go to court a few times. The Iranian government felt that some of the magazine's content went too far. For example, in 2001, she attended a meeting in Berlin where people talked about the future of politics in Iran. For being at this meeting, she faced legal action.

Awards and Recognition

Shahla Sherkat has received special awards for her brave work in journalism and for supporting women's rights.

Awards for Courage in Journalism

• In 2005, she received the Louis Lyons Award from The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.
• Also in 2005, she was given The Courage in Journalism Award by the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). This award recognizes women journalists who show great bravery in their work.

See Also

• Women's rights movement in Iran

Images for kids

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