As the world prepares to mark the International Women’s Day, one thing that stands out is the leading role that women and girls have played in the six-month uprising of the Iranian people. Accordingly, a conference held by the Iranian Resistance in Brussels on March 4 celebrated IWD by honoring the sacrifices Iranian women have made in the decades-long struggle for freedom.
“The women of Iran have paid an exceptionally high price for this resistance. These years of resistance have resulted in thousands of political prisoners being tortured and, of course, executed,” said international human rights lawyer Azadeh Zabeti. “Women are asking for nothing from this regime. Instead, Iranian women know all too well, as all freedom-loving Iranians do, that their true emancipation, democracy, freedom, and liberty will only be achieved by the overthrow of this regime in its entirety.”
Sarvnaz Chitsaz, the Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), said, “Because of 43 years of oppression, Iranian women have taken a leading role in the struggle against the regime. Iranian women have a strong history of struggle against dictatorial rule.”
Chitsaz said that the MEK has turned the issue of equality from mere words and slogans into a reality by putting women in leadership roles at the forefront of the fight against the regime.
“In our resistance against the misogynist policies of the clerical regime, the leading and impressive role of women in the uprising is the result of this 44-year struggle,” Chitsaz said.
“There has been, for decades now, an organization and a group that has fought the regime. And that, of course, is the MEK,” said former White House Director of Public Liaison Linda Chavez. “And it is led by a woman. Maryam Rajavi has been a leader of this organization for decades. And she has been someone who has been fearlessly standing up to the regime in Tehran.”
Chavez said that Mrs. Rajavi’s ten-point plan is a model for the kind of government, the kind of future that includes not just the right for the people to pick their own leaders, but also the right of an independent judiciary, the right of a free press, the right of non-discrimination, and the right to choose their religion.
Chavez also said that the people of Iran do not want to return to the Shah regime. “They do not want to be ruled by dictators, no matter what their name is,” she said.
On #InternationalWomensDay, we send our warmest greetings to the courageous women &girls who are leading the Iran uprising.
We pay tribute to the 83 women who have been killed during #IRanRevolution, from #MahsaAmini to Zarbibi Ismail Zehi in Zahedan.https://t.co/n4QRRMvKVF— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) March 4, 2023
In her speech, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the keynote speaker of the event, said, “Iran’s brave and resilient women, with their unwavering bravery and tireless activism, have become Khamenei’s perpetual nightmare.”
Mrs. Rajavi stressed that throughout the history of the struggle against the regime, women have played a leading role with their resistance inside the regime prisons, their leadership role in the ranks of the National Liberation Army, and their activities as Resistance Units inside Iran and in the streets of Iran during the recent protests.
“The sacrifices made by these women convey a powerful message – that freedom requires a revolution. A revolution always comes with a price, and those who promise a costless change are only seeking to maintain the status quo,” she said.
Speaking of the current uprising in Iran, Mrs. Rajavi said that “The victory for a free and democratic republic is the only way forward for Iran.”
“It is correct when they say women’s rights are human rights, and I firmly believe that women’s leadership is the guarantee for democracy and equality,” Mrs. Rajavi said. “Without providing opportunities for women to participate in political leadership, any progress made towards gender equality is vulnerable to regression.”
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, former German Minister of Defense, expressed her admiration for the courage of Iranian women and youth. “This is not about replacing one dictatorship with another. Iran can be an example of peace, freedom, and democracy. This is in our interest,” she said. “The international community must stand up. This is our fight. We must stand by their side. Dictators don’t understand appeasement. They only understand one answer: No, no, no!”
Dominique Attias, President of European Law Society Federation, said, “The women of Iran are the forgotten power of the world. Today, Iranian women are leading the struggle. This is the only revealing part of the long struggle by all women in Iran, of all ages, all regions, generation after generation.”
Attias stressed that the people of Iran are shouting no to Shah, no to mullahs and want freedom and democracy. “They reject the dictatorship of Khamenei and all factions of the regime. They are saying down to the dictator, Shah, and mullahs,” she said.
Canadian MP and former Minister Judy A. Sgro called Mrs. Rajavi’s ten-point plan “a model for the world, not just for Iran.”
“The world is aware of the terrible things that are happening in Iran and are backing Madam Rajavi, the MEK, the NCRI, and all of the other movements that are trying to finally get rid of an oppressive group of mullahs that do not deserve to be there,” she said. “I hope and dream and pray that on the next International Women’s Day we’ll be celebrating with Madam Rajavi in Iran with freedom.”
