By examining the sargozasht or “life-stories” of women engaged in the sex trade published weekly in the influential women's magazine, Ittela’at Banuvan, the poster offers a view on the representation of prostitution and female criminality. The inclusion of elite female reformers' viewpoints juxtaposed with the weekly life-stories of working-class women creates a rich tapestry for understanding the societal dynamics of the time.
The reference to the burgeoning women's press and social scientific studies lays the foundation for comprehending the unequal power relations and class dynamics prevalent during this period. It underscores the intricate societal structures and the influence of the new literary magazines on the lives of women engaged in the sex trade.
These narratives not only functioned as cautionary tales about the perceived difficulties of a prostitute's life but also provided insights into the reformers' perspectives on family life and child-rearing practices.
The reversal of these stories to promoted the ideal Iranian family, characterized by health, education, and alignment with the state's vision of modernity suggesting that the representations of female criminality were not solely condemnations of specific behaviors but also a promotion of particular societal ideals.
The visual aspect of the poster presentation offers examples of these life stories along with the accompanying images of the women. In the process, it weaves together the perspectives of elite female reformers, narratives from working-class women, and the broader societal context. These visual images from the archives enhance the visual impact and narrative depth of the poster presentation and invite the audience to question the ethical implications of using images of the poor and marginal (sex workers in this case) for historical and academic scholarship.