Azadi Means Freedom

A young woman activist takes on her government and the world’s most powerful sports body, FIFA, to fight for women and girl’s rights in her country.

The sister of one of Iran’s biggest soccer stars describes her battle against the stadium ban in a thrilling, inspiring story for anyone YA and up.

Maryam Shojaei’s brother, Masoud, was captain of Iran’s national team and player in three World Cup tournaments. But Maryam and her mother and sister never saw him play in Tehran’s famous Azadi Stadium. For forty years no woman–not one of the over 40 million women and girls in that country–has been allowed in any stadium, except for those brave enough to sneak in disguised as men and run the risk of being arrested and imprisoned.

“Azadi” means freedom in Iran’s Persian language.

Here is Maryam’s story of taking on her own government and a global sports organization to fight for girls’ and women’s rights. Azadi Means Freedom is both a fascinating look into life in modern Iran for young women today, and also a personal story filled with intrigue and danger. Maryam travels the globe to battle the stadium ban, is detained and beaten, but her story is also covered in international news. With the support of activist friends and her beloved family–and the stories of other protesters like the Blue Girl and the White Scarves movement–she reaches the powerful halls of FIFA and the United Nations to plead her case. Masoud’s final gesture on the turf at Azadi Stadium is an extraordinary act of love and support.

Here is an inspiring, nail-biter of a story for every activist, sports fan, soccer player, and fighter for women’s rights around the world.