About what women's empowerments goals are you most passionate? Why?
Simply because of my passions and the specific work I do, I am interested in women’s empowerment goals geared towards getting more women into leadership positions and civically engaged. Women prove to practice a different type of leadership than men that is effective and inclusive. We need more women in all leadership positions, from Universities to Parliament. I am also interested in girls’ education, combatting sexual violence, and securing reproductive health justice for women (among the myriad of women’s issues that I’m passionate about).
What does a "Culture Revolution" mean to you, and how can women relate to thaT?
I think it means challenging the cultures that have been forced upon us or deemed worthy by powerful and invisible forces around us. Our cultures should be what we make of them, and for women especially that is creating cultures that do not oppress us and force us to be unequal to men, but those that would uplift us and put us at the same level as our men counterparts.
Has being a youth representative for the UN influenced your liking for politics?
I think being a Youth Representative for the UN influenced my passion to take my work for women and girls to an international level and not just strive for change on a domestic scale. I’ve always had an interest in international relations as a first-generation American, but being a Youth Rep really encouraged me to expand my efforts to women and girls all over the world. I think my mom always knew I would want to do that and that is why she named me Donya, which means “world” in Farsi (fun fact!).
Which women INSPIRE YOU?
Oh this is a hard one for sure. I would say my mom as my #1 source of inspiration, but also my younger sister and my two aunts, Neshat and Ziba joon. Outside of family, I would definitely say Shirin Ebadi, Malala Yousafzai, Audre Lorde, and Senator Elizabeth Warren. I have to also say apart from those that are somewhat “famous,” the girls and women in the movement that aren’t on TV or in the news but are working towards gender equality inspire me to never give up or lose sight of what is important.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
I’ve learned the hard way that it’s not always the best thing to plan ahead. Many times women are taught to do this so we can plan around our hopes for a family and children, but it can result in disappointment and a difficult hole to get out of when your plans don’t go as you expected them to. Generally though, in 5 years I hope I would’ve finished, or at least partially finished, my joint degree. In 10 years I definitely intend to have completed my graduate education and to be working in my community. Who knows, maybe 10 years from now I’ll be in office? We will see what the future brings! If there’s anything my mom taught me it is to have faith.