They Want to Change Me; they Want me to be Someone they Want

The right to gender equality can be viewed from different perspectives. From the normative view, as “it is a right,” to the economic perspective, “it supports economic growth.” On International Women’s Day (8 March), we saw and read about several activists presenting their own viewpoints to persuade people of all beliefs that gender equality deserves political focus. Art contributes to this discussion, adding a layer of reflection that is as profound and convincing as a rigorous scientific study, yet with a language that speaks to everyone.  

The movie Cutting Through Rocks, shown at the Luxembourg City Film Festival, and supported by UN Cinema, exemplifies the power of art to inspire reflection. Co-directed by Eyni and Khaki and set in Iran, this film follows Sara Shahverdi, the first woman elected to public office in her region. It highlights the contrast between social norms and legal norms, as well as the tension between freedoms and compliance or acceptance.  

The film prompted us to reflect on the cyclical relationship between social norms, legal norms, and political actors. It uses the act of riding a motorcycle as a symbol of women's freedom and empowerment. In the final scene (I know, spoiler alert!), when the protagonist, after trying several strategies to support girls' freedom, right to education, and right to decide on one’s own future, decides to take a step backwards and advocate for a change in the family setting. Here, she invites the girls' parents to join the ride. We see an advocate who understands that change must reach the roots of gender inequality in Iran, which, in her view, are social norms sustained by family expectations.  

The film also explores the roles of activists and grassroots leaders in challenging the status quo. Throughout Sara Shahverdi's life, we can reflect on how social norms constrain us and critically evaluate how they should not limit our freedoms. Sara is a symbol of hope and takes an initiative-taking step to defend individual freedom. Sara advocates for and embraces the uniqueness of each person's freedom within society.  

At a normative level, the movie highlights the tensions between legal norms and social norms. The international legal community and human rights advocates have taken a significant step by drafting the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and by including Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality and Empowering all Women and Girls as one of the global policy goals. Many countries have also amended their domestic laws to align with international law and achieve SDG targets. However, we can see that customary norms, politics, and individual behaviours still act as barriers to gender equality.  

In gender rights, the efforts of non-governmental advocates play an essential role in overcoming customary norms that hinder individual freedoms. Art can serve as a powerful way to display the lives, missions, and struggles, exposing their inspiring stories of influence.  

Legal reform alone is slow to change daily life; meaningful, lasting change requires patient, creative involvement with communities. Thanks to art, these individuals can gain the visibility and support that will foster inclusive and peaceful societal change.