After her native country became a strictly conservative Islamic republic after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, she says she experienced feelings of oppression and injustice from an early age.

[10][11][12] FIFA does not comply its statutes regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran: Article 3 of FIFA's statutes: "Discrimination of any kind against a Country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion."

[13][14][15][16][17][5][6][18] On 2 June 2017, Darya Safai and a fellow activist showed the 'Let Iranian Women Enter Their Stadiums' banner during the Italy-Iran FIVB Volleyball World League match[19] in Pesaro, Italy.

[20] Italian police officers allegedly prevented them from performing the demonstration, removed Darya Safai by force from the stadium bleachers, and cut the banner into pieces,[21] while being filmed by at least one bystander.

Safai has also campaigned against compulsory hijab laws in Iran, arguing that it represents discrimination and oppression against Iranian women.

She is also critical of Western politicians who argue that wearing Islamic veils and headscarves in the West is a matter of religious freedom, equal rights or are a symbol of diversity.

Safai states that condoning the headscarf out of tolerance or multiculturalism is a form of cultural relativism and unjustified support for institutionalized discrimination.

[24] Due to her women's rights activism, Safai was approached by the Open Vld and New Flemish Alliance parties to run as a candidate.

[30][2] In September 2018 her book 'Plots mocht ik niet meer lachen' ('Suddenly I wasn't allowed to laugh anymore) was published.

[33] In October 2022, she gained media attention by cutting her hair, along with Belgian foreign minister, Hadja Lahbib, after a speech regarding Iranian protests after Mahsa Amini death.