Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

Faculty/School

Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work

First Advisor

Magnus Mfoafo-M'Carthy

Advisor Role

Research supervision

Abstract

Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom movement began in 2022, and Canada’s Iranian diaspora– the second-largest globally–continues to mobilise advocacy initiatives in its support. However, no studies have examined the movement’s implications on identity individually or collectively. These gaps fail to recognise the experiences of Iranian peoples in Canada who care deeply for the movement and have been historically marginalised. As such, using a qualitative and arts-based method, my project facilitates the retelling of experiences of young adult advocates (n = 4) in the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. Specifically, I inquired about the perceived development of their collective identities as advocates, along with the impacts of their advocacy. First, I conducted semi-structured oral history interviews to examine their personal experiences in depth. Narrative analyses then identified factors that initiated, supported, and hindered identity development. In the second stage, I performed a community check-in session to validate these initial analyses. Afterwards, three arts-based group sessions outlined a digital graphic novel envisioning each advocate’s desired narrative of the movement. Relevant narrative analyses were also conducted here. In the findings, I reveal three stages of identity development: 1. Life in Iran before immigrating, 2. Life in Canada before advocacy, and 3. Life as advocates in the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. In each stage, I also identify factors that influenced their development and any perceived interactions between them. Above all, their perceived Self demonstrates resilience, empowerment, and values that mirror the movement (i.e., universal value of human life, inclusivity and democracy, and a resolute belief that the regime will fall). The findings also uncover strong interconnections between the Self and the collective, demonstrating identity's fluid and socially constructed nature. I underline the implications of these findings, including the importance of shifting narratives on identities and offer novel avenues for therapeutic interventions within narrative art therapy for Iranian and minoritised peoples.

Convocation Year

2025

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