Baloch and Kurdish activists recognised by BBC as influential women

Two remarkable women activists from Balochistan and Kurdistan, Mahrang Baloch and Zhina Modares Gorji, have been named among the BBC’s 100 most influential women, highlighting their relentless fight for justice, human rights, and women’s empowerment amidst severe political and social oppression.

Mahrang Baloch, a medical doctor and political activist from Balochistan, has gained international recognition for her courageous advocacy on behalf of victims of enforced disappearances. Her activism took root after her father, Abdul Ghafar Langov Baloch, was abducted by Pakistani security forces in 2009, with his lifeless body found two years later showing signs of torture. In 2023, she led a 1,000-mile march from Turbat to Islamabad, demanding answers for the missing individuals from Balochistan. Despite being arrested twice during the march, Baloch’s resolve never wavered, earning her the support of hundreds of women and establishing herself as a key figure in the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), her human rights organization. Her efforts were further recognised with her inclusion in the TIME100 Next 2024 list. “This recognition is the result of the collective struggle of Baloch women and brave Baloch rights activists,” Baloch stated, dedicating the honor to the courage of Baloch mothers.

Zhina Modares Gorji, a Kurdish journalist and women’s rights advocate from Sanandaj, Kurdistan, also made the prestigious BBC100 list. As a co-founder of the Zhivano Women’s Association in 2019, Modares Gorji has been at the forefront of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, promoting gender equality and combatting systemic violence against women in Iran. Despite facing brutal government repression—including multiple arrests and an initial 21-year prison sentence for “propaganda against the regime”—her commitment never wavered, with her sentence later reduced to two years and four months. Besides her activism, Modares Gorji initiated the One Million Signatures campaign for legal reforms against discriminatory laws in Iran and has engaged in various projects to uplift Kurdish women.

Both Baloch and Modares Gorji epitomise the resilience and courage of women standing up against state-sanctioned violence and societal oppression. Their recognition by the BBC not only shines a light on the struggles of marginalised communities but also demonstrates the power of resistance. As Mahrang Baloch articulated, “Despite facing extreme oppression, the Baloch people continue their fight for justice and human rights. This acknowledgement is a beacon of hope for all marginalised communities, affirming the power of resistance against injustice.”

Their inspiring journeys resonate beyond their communities, amplifying global voices calling for justice, equality, and freedom. Mahrang Baloch is the second Baloch activist honored by the BBC; in 2016, the late Banuk Karima Baloch became the first Baloch woman recognised for her activism, particularly as a former head of the Baloch Students Organisation.