Fatemeh Ekhtesari, a writer and poet, had to flee Iran to Norway due to her uncompromising portrayal of the situation of Iranian women in her works. Inspired to start writing at 18 during a creative writing workshop, she faced censorship for her feminist poetry, leading to arrests and harassment by Iranian authorities. Even after receiving a prison sentence and 99 lashes, she continued her literary pursuits. Eventually seeking refuge through ICORN (International Cities of Refuge Network), she found a safe haven in Norway. Ekhtesari remains committed to her writing, optimistic about the potential for change in Iran through ongoing protests for women’s rights. She emphasizes the importance of global support for artists and writers in Iran to publish freely and contribute to a more open society. Despite challenges, Ekhtesari remains focused on her identity as a writer and poet, striving to be recognized for her work rather than being confined to labels such as “exile writer” or “Iranian writer.”