Canadian Kurdish artist’s new song raises awareness about Kurdish women's struggles

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Canadian-Kurdish artist Melody Ghaderi released a new single in January that highlights the history of Kurdish women's struggles and their fight for equality.

Melody, 27, was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, to two Kurdish immigrants from Mahabad, Iranian Kurdistan. From the age of 16, she has been a professional musician. In 2020, she participated in the Miss World Canada beauty contest.

Along with the song, Melody also released on YouTube a short film titled "Shero Movement" on Saturday.

The film "is my story and lived experiences as a Canadian Kurdish living in Toronto. It talks about the process behind the Shero project and showcases some of the people I've worked with to help my vision come alive," she told Kurdistan 24.

Melody's passion for music began in her early days when she would record herself singing on a cassette recorder. Her musical style is not limited to one genre, drawing inspiration from genres like pop, hip hop, and R&B. Her new single Shero (Lion), released in January, is about connecting to her fellow Kurdish sisters globally.

"I am a proud Canadian Kurdish. In Kurdish, "Sher" translates to lion or lioness. Shero is a term in English referred to as a brave woman admired for her courage and achievements," Melody told Kurdistan 24.

"Me and another songwriter, Nana O Afriye, used the word Shero in reference to "Sher." Shero aims to raise awareness and paint a picture of Kurdish women's struggles. It is dedicated to all Kurdish women, including those who have faced hardships and violence,  Kurdish women fighters and those with big dreams."

She added that many of her "Kurdish sisters have been victims of sexual assault, rape, and violence in Kurdistan."

The single was published in English and one mixed with English and Sorani Kurdish. "It was essential to combine the two languages to pave the way to introducing Kurdish culture and our oppression into mainstream music. So many people and my friends ask me where Kurdistan is and what struggles we face," she said.

"I wanted to use my music as a platform to share my and my sister's life experiences all in one song. There are two lyric videos on YouTube, one in Kurmanji and English and one in Sorani."

"With Shero, it was vital for me to empower my sisters and let them know that they have a voice, are heard, and that a fellow Kurdish woman stands by them. I want to remind these women how powerful they are even on their most difficult days," she said.

Melody explained since the start of her Miss World Canada journey in 2020, she has used her platform to be a voice for the Kurdish community in Canada.

"So many minorities still face oppression in their home country; when they flee from their hometown, they become victims of violence, and trauma; and this is especially with women."