On Wednesday, a group of Sixth Form students were invited to attend the annual Colton Memorial Lecture at the City of London School for Girls. The speaker this year was none other than Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, author and political activist. As part of our Advocating Girls partnership, we had the privilege of hearing Nazanin speak about her experiences as a political prisoner in Tehran and her wrongful conviction through the Iranian justice system. 

Hearing Nazanin’s answers and her moving account of being separated for six years from her husband and her daughter, who were also in the audience, was incredibly special. It gave us the opportunity to hear first hand from a victim of huge injustice which accentuated to us the necessity of using our voice and the power of community. 

Questions fielded from the audience gave us a much wider insight into Nazanin’s story that went beyond the press coverage. She spoke openly and with humility about the other women facing similar injustices in Tehran, that she was imprisoned with, who remain there to this day. There was acknowledgment that there is still so far we, as women globally, have to go to achieve equality and Nazanin highlighted the importance of the role of the media in illuminating problems within the political and justice systems. 

It was a hugely inspiring talk and a once in a lifetime chance to engage with a woman who has a uniquely personal experience of the failings of the system. We are very grateful for the opportunity. 

Grace and Lily – Sixth Form

Advocating Girls is a partnership between six girls’ schools including The Abbey, The Holt and City of London Girls School. It brings together students and professionals from across the court, justice and human rights sectors to make connections, share perspectives and promote social change on behalf of girls’ and women. The partnership was launched by students of The Abbey and our partners at Gray’s Inn in November 2023. Students have also attended workshops and seminars as part of the Girls Human Rights Hub initiative.