Launch of the Athena Initiative: Centering Women’s Voices in Global Security
Co-Authors: Dhanvi Mehta and Siya Goswami
On Monday, September 22, the Elliot School of International Affairs marked the launch of the Athena Initiative, a new program led by Dr. Shirley Graham that seeks to advance human security and international affairs by centering marginalized female voices.
The inaugural event, “The Legacy of Mahsa Amini and the Iranian Women’s Freedom Movement,” drew faculty, students, and practitioners for a powerful conversation about the Iranian women's fight for freedom. Timed just days after the third anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in custody of Iran’s morality police, the panel reflected on the movement her story sparked and the broader implications for authoritarianism, human rights, and global security.
The initiative, named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, is designed to channel creativity, dialogue, and solutions to pressing crises such as mass displacement, food and water insecurity, and the silencing of marginalized voices. Graham emphasized that the initiative would provide a space for constructive conversation and training, with future programming that includes workshops, ambassadorial dialogues, and advocacy-oriented events.
The Mahsa Amini Panel
The panel was moderated by Dr. Sina Azodi, Director of the Master’s Program in Middle East Studies at GW. Panelists include:
Dr. Shirin Saeidi, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Arkansas.
Dr. Emily Blout, media scholar and historian who teaches at Georgetown University.
Barbara Slavin, a distinguished fellow at The Stimson Center and former director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council.
Together, they examined the trajectory of Iran’s women’s movement since Mahsa Amini’s death, as well as the broader role of women in peace and security.
Remember Mahsa Amini
Amini’s death on September 16th, 2022 for “improperly” wearing her hijab spurred nationwide protests in Iran and generated unprecentered international solidarity. Protestors cut their hair, set headscaves on fire, and used social media to amplify their voices despite great personal risk. As a result, Saiedi described that the “distinction between movement and revolution is not as strong as it once was.” For many Iranian women, Amini embodied a real, strong woman who rebelled against her marginalized ethnicity, generation, and gender in everyday life. She did not balk under pressure from police officers and stood her ground when accused. Her death struck an irreversible chord because she was them, or who they ultimately aspired to be.
Blout traced the regime’s response, describing it as “ruthless, relentless, and all-encompassing.” She explained that the actions ranged from physical/kinetic, to cybernetic and even informational/rhetorical attacks.
She documented widespread arrests, live ammunition, critical injuries, and reports of sexual violence. Authorities also imposed nationwide internet blackouts, disrupted apps like WhatsApp and Instagram, and launched disinformation campaigns to downplay abuses. The regime attempted to justify the upheaval as the work of foreign agents and the subsequent crackdown as a means to protect Iranian citizens from danger. By the end of the protests, she reported that approximately 22,000 were injured and 500 were killed.
Yet, despite such repression, the movement’s symbolism endured. Slavin reminded us of one protestor’s words, quoted by BBC, “You aimed at my eyes but my heart is still beating. Thank you for taking the sight from my eye which has opened the eyes of so many people.”
Women As Agents of Change
Barbara Slavin reminded the audience of the long arc of Iranian women’s activism. From the 19th century Bajor dynasty through the 1979 revolution and onwards, women have played central roles in shaping Iran’s political trajectory. Furthermore, although there have not been concrete or comprehensive legal changes, women continue to retaliate culturally.
“Women are the canary in the coal mine,” Slavin said. “When you start to persecute women, repression for everyone soon follows.” She described the gradual shift in Iranian society, where younger women - despite the legal and political risks - have increasingly challenged compulsory hijab laws, pushing back against decades of state control.
Saeidi added that even though there have not been formal legal reforms, societal change is visible: “In universities, on the streets, in workplaces women are choosing to appear unveiled, despite personal risk. That collective struggle brings them together.” Ultimately, this new chapter in Iran has shown the tenacity of women and their transformation from reactionary to active figures in the fight for freedom.
Global and Policy Implications:
Panelists also discussed international responses. While U.S. and European officials condemned Amini’s death and supported Iranian voices, panelists noted that authoritarian regimes often blame external actors to justify crackdowns. Still, they emphasized the importance of amplifying authentic Iranian voices and resisting the temptation to let geopolitical disputes overshadow human rights.
In the academic sphere, Blout called for expanded access for Iranian students to scholarly databases and exchange programs. “Culture is the Achilles’ heel of this regime,” she argued. “Academic and cultural connections are powerful tools of soft power, and they can empower young Iranians to build their own future.”
Looking Ahead
The event closed with a reminder that the Athena Initiative is just beginning. Dr. Graham invited students, scholars, and professionals to join in future workshops and dialogues, designed to deepen our understanding and pique our curiosity.
As the WPS agenda emphasizes, the inclusion of women is not a matter of tokenism but a matter of security and sustainability. The Athena Initiative’s launch underscored that principle by spotlighting Mahsa Amini’s legacy.
““How do we defeat our enemy,” one panelist quoted, “without becoming like them, but without surrendering to them?”
That question, perhaps, is at the heart of Athena’s mission and one that will continue to guide its work in the months ahead.