Women. Life. Freedom.” is an immersive storytelling project designed to highlight gender inequality, harassment, and the systemic oppression faced by women in countries like Iran and Pakistan. Through interactive media, escape room experiences, and symbolic installations, we aimed to transform real stories of struggle into a visceral, participatory
journey. The project draws inspiration from grassroots movements such as Zan Zendegi Azadi and Aurat March, turning protest into performance, and resistance into art.
As part of our awareness campaign, we organized a powerful Mugshot Event to simulate the experience of Iranian women arrested by the morality police for acts as simple as wearing makeup or choosing their own clothing. Held at our university, participants were invited to reflect on moments in their own lives when they were unfairly judged or punished for something that shouldn’t be a crime. They wrote those thoughts on symbolic prison boards and posed for mugshot-style photos, mirroring the degrading treatment many women face in oppressive regimes. This visual, participatory installation aimed to evoke empathy, spark dialogue, and show solidarity with women who are criminalized simply for expressing
themselves.
Using the 5E Experience Design model (Entice, Enter, Engage, Exit, Extend), we created a multi-phase experience that took visitors on a symbolic journey through the life of an oppressed woman:
The introductory video symbolically portrays the struggles of women in Iran and Pakistan, highlighting issues like limited freedom, forced dress codes, abusive marriages, and domestic violence. It follows a woman who dares to dream of liberation but is repeatedly dragged back to a harsh reality by oppressive forces. Through powerful imagery, the video illustrates how every hope is crushed—dreams of love, freedom, and ambition are met with control and violence. It ends with a chilling scene of the woman being choked, representing the brutal consequences women face for simply existing. The video sets the emotional tone for what participants will experience in the escape room.
As women from Iran and Pakistan ourselves, we were driven by personal stories, cultural trauma, and the lack of justice for victims like Mahsa Amini, Nika Shakarami, and Hina. This project was born from a place of grief, resilience, and the belief that art can educate and unite people across borders. We wanted the Western world to not only hear about oppression but feel it—creating empathy that could fuel global solidarity and change.
The immersive exhibition was met with emotional reactions, widespread engagement, and powerful conversations. From our seminars in Pakistan to the interactive installations in Europe, we reached and connected diverse audiences. The project now lives on through an online support community, educational webinars, and global volunteer networks. Women from restrictive environments are receiving mentorship, learning opportunities, and the message that they are not alone.
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