My body my rule
Artist: Raoof Haghighi
Medium: Graphite on paper
Dimensions: 21x29 cm
Year: 2021
Source: Instagram (@raoof.h)
Today, November 25th, is recognized as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — a global issue that continues to grow in prevalence. I’ve chosen to raise my voice as a declaration that violence against women should never be normalized. It must be confronted and eradicated because women have undeniable rights over their own bodies.
In August of this year, I sat on a park bench, scrolling through Instagram, when I stumbled upon a hauntingly powerful artwork by Raoof Haghighi. I was instantly captivated by every detail. For me, the image spoke louder than words ever could. Though I am merely an admirer of art and lack deep knowledge of its concepts, the title “Just take them and leave me alone!” struck a chord deep within me.
This piece offers a visceral portrayal of the female experience in a world that often reduces women to objects of desire. Through surreal fragmentation — where the body is dismantled into its objectified sexual parts — the artist vividly captures the dehumanization women face in cultures that judge their worth primarily by physical appearance rather than personality or character.
The artwork reveals the anguish of objectification, where a woman’s body is commodified, leaving her sense of self hollow. The silent figure depicted in the piece is devoid of agency, her disjointed form a harrowing surrender. It mirrors the horrific reality of those who endure sexual violence. The title, Just take them and leave me alone!, conveys a chilling resignation — an exhausted plea born of relentless violations. It’s the cry of someone emotionally and physically fragmented, reduced to their parts, begging for the torment to cease.
The barren landscape where the woman stands, punctuated by smoking volcanoes, symbolizes the inner turmoil of survivors. These smoldering volcanoes reflect pent-up anger and pain — emotions on the verge of eruption. The desolation surrounding her mirrors the isolation survivors often face, as they navigate a world that silences their stories while demanding their obedience.
Haghighi’s choice of graphite, with its monochromatic and raw textures, underscores the bleakness of this reality. The absence of vibrant color drains the imagery of life, leaving behind only the stark truth: the systematic reduction of women to their sexual organs and the profound scars such objectification leaves behind.
This work transcends personal suffering to deliver a universal commentary on gender-based violence and societal complicity in its perpetuation. It forces viewers to confront the grim reality of a world where too many women bear the weight of the statement, Just take them and leave me alone.
For survivors of sexual violence, this interpretation resonates deeply. Survivors often feel dissociated from their bodies, as if their sense of self has been stolen. The inability to fight back — often due to the body’s natural response to freeze in moments of trauma — is a pain few can understand. This artwork captures that fragmentation visually, echoing the hatred many survivors feel toward the parts of their bodies that were violated without consent.
Art has the power to challenge us, to make us uncomfortable, and to ignite change. Haghighi’s work is not just a reflection of individual pain but a mirror of society’s flaws, urging us to do better. Let this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women be a call to action, a reminder that silence is not an option. Each of us has a role to play — whether in educating the next generation, supporting survivors, or holding perpetrators accountable.
Together, we must work toward a world where women are not reduced to their bodies but celebrated for their whole selves — mind, soul, and spirit. May we all strive to create a future where every woman feels safe, respected, and free to exist without fear. Violence is not inevitable; it is preventable. Change starts with each of us.
