On Saturday, March 4, 2023, an international conference was held in Brussels to commemorate International Women’s Day. Titled “Onward to a Democratic Republic, Iranian Women Leading the Way,” the event featured numerous distinguished female policymakers, former ministers, experts, and human rights activists. Additionally, the conference welcomed online participation from PMOI women at Ashraf-3 in Albania, with two of them delivering speeches.
The keynote address at the conference was delivered by NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi, whose speech can be found on www.maryam-rajavi.com.
This report, presented in two parts, provides insights from the conference and excerpts from the speeches of these inspiring speakers.
Azadeh Zabeti and Mitra Bighan served as the Masters of Ceremony for the event. Ms. Zabeti, a lawyer, opened the proceedings with the following remarks:
“Throughout the years, the women of Iran have paid an exceptionally high price for their unwavering resistance. This prolonged period of resistance has unfortunately witnessed the torture and execution of thousands of political prisoners.
“In the wake of the recent uprising, sparked by the tragic custodial death of Mahsa Amini, the world witnessed with awe the courage and determination of Iranian women and the youth, who fearlessly confronted the brutal forces of the repressive state. The world watched in amazement, while the mullahs were clearly caught off guard. As Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, aptly predicted many years ago, it is women who will ultimately bring about the downfall of the mullahs, a formidable force they have consistently underestimated.
Sarvnaz Chitsaz, Chairwoman of the NCRI Women’s Committee
Ms. Sarvnaz Chitsaz, Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, started her remarks by saluting Iran’s defiant women and girls who have been leading the way during the uprising, the brave Resistance Units, and women political prisoners. She also expressed her sympathies with the families who lost their loved ones during the recent uprising and her solidarity with the families of girl students who are subjected to the regime’s deliberate chain poisoning of students.
Ms. Chitsaz overviewed the history of struggles of Iranian women, which has come to fruition after many years in the recent uprising and pointed out, “For the PMOI, which was engaged in a war with the mullahs misogynist regime, it was clear that without women playing a role and being empowered and promoted, for which they were fully qualified, it would have been impossible to overthrow the Iranian regime and establish democracy.
“We have turned the issue of equality from mere words and slogans into a reality. And this has been possible because we have linked the fight for women’s rights with a fight against the ruling theocracy. We firmly believe that the political demands of our people cannot be realized without overthrowing this regime and that defending women’s rights requires determination and a commitment to these goals.”
Linda Chavez, former Director of White House Public Liaison
This has been a momentous year in Iran. It’s been a year of unprecedented protests, sparked initially by the brutal killing, the murder, of Marsha Amini, who was murdered simply for being a woman. It isn’t just women who are protesting and who are the targets of this regime. It’s schoolgirls. Girls who are going to school are being literally poisoned throughout Iran.
For decades, there has been an organization and a group that has fought the regime. And that, of course, is the MEK. 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.
But it isn’t just Mrs. Rajavi who has been a leader. She is the first to say that she isn’t just one person, one woman, but she has dozens, hundreds, thousands of women who are part of this resistance behind her. I think Mrs. Rajavi has made it very clear that the women of Iran want freedom and democracy, the right to control their own lives. And Mrs. Rajavi has said that it is not simply the right of women to either veil or not veil, the right of women to make choices about their own personal life—It is the right of people to be able to choose their own leaders.
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, former German Minister of Defense (2019-2021)
The images coming from Iran humble me. I ask myself, would I have the power to take to the streets, to let my children go out and fight against the regime? This strength, especially in the women in Iran, is a sign of humanism and decisiveness that goes far beyond the borders of Iran. You are an inspiration for the world.
We can do our utmost to show Iran’s people support and tell them they are not alone. We are with you.
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!
That’s why we are here. Ahead of International Women’s Day, we are here to say no to a regime that destroys its own future, a regime that does not believe in peace, and a regime that fears people deciding their own politics. We want to say yes to a free Iran, a democratic Iran, and an international policy that supports the people of Iran in words and action.
Dominique Attias, Chair of the Board of Directors at the European Lawyers Foundation
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. The people of Iran are shouting no to Shah, no to mullahs.
Countless people were arrested and tortured. But they were not broken. We admire them and support them. The women of the world will stand by your side. We call on the European Commission to stop talking to the devil. The women of Iran have faced the devil many times in prison cells.
The struggle continues thanks to the women in Iran. I’ve met Maryam Rajavi and these women. They work with incredible efficiency. Maryam Rajavi has persisted in her stance and dedicated her life to this struggle. She has been targeted with assassination attempts but has continued calling for freedom. The women of Iran are marching toward freedom, and no one can stop it, neither the Shah nor the mullahs.
Latifa Aït Baala, Member of the Parliament of Brussels
There is a new trend of democracy in Iran. Iranian people have led a long struggle, and the objective of liberating Iran from theocracy seems to be finally close. We can bring about freedom by fighting for women’s and human rights.
The regime killed 750 people without reason and arrested 30,000 people without a warrant. Even going through these difficult times, even when facing death, the women of Iran keep fighting for themselves and all the people of Iran.
This struggle is not just about the hijab. It’s about freedom and human rights, the rights of minorities, and the end of violence. The protests across the globe and the Iranian people want a democratic state. They want a democratic republic. They don’t want the theocracy.
I want to congratulate Maryam Rajavi for her leadership of the resistance movement. I express once again my support for the men and women who want freedom. We will support you, the Iranian people, and particularly the women leading the way.
Prof. Yakın Ertürk, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women (2003-2006)
I have witnessed first-hand how gendered subordination and misogynist laws and attitudes have been woven into the Islamic Republic’s fiber, one of its most distinguishing features.
Iranian women have a long history of resilience and struggle for emancipation from prohibitions imposed by law and misogynist practices. Therefore, today’s protests are, in a way, the outcome of nearly two centuries of struggle for civil rights.
Iranian women are recognized now, no doubt by everyone, as a transformative force not only within Iran but by everyone across the globe.
Hundreds of schoolgirls have been hospitalized due to poisoning in at least 52 schools in ten provinces across the country. Although denied by the authorities, many believe this is a deliberate attempt to force the closure of girls’ schools. Families who are rightfully worried about the life of their children may be inclined to withdraw their girls from school. This will end women’s dream for education because if elementary school and secondary school education are denied to girls, there will be no further educational opportunities.
Kathleen Depoorter, Member of the Belgian Parliament
When I heard recently about a wave of poisoning schoolgirls by toxic gas, I was in shock. We should, under all circumstances, prevent parents from leaving their daughter’s homes out of fear. Education is extremely important.
The strength of the Iranian protesters is admirable to me. I truly admire your strength because you risk your lives to obtain the fundamental rights you deserve.
I would like to express my deep respect to all the families of those who lost their lives for a better future for others. On this International Woman’s Day, I really want to honor you and all the brave Iranian women who played a significant role in the uprising.
But I also want to honor the National Council of Resistance of Iran. Because, yes, with half of its members being women and responsible for many of its committees, you struggle for freedom and equality.
And then I go back to Mrs. Rajavi. What a role model she is. What a woman. She really proves what female leadership is. She takes these women to where they must go to be political leaders to take our future into our hands.
It is a four-decade struggle that you have been leading all these years. And if you are fighting for freedom, equality, and democracy, it was empowered and guided by this distinguished leadership of Mrs. Rajavi. And I really applaud her.
Canadian MP and former Minister Judy A. Sgro
Madame Rajavi’s ten-point plan, and when she says it and reads it out again, it always reminds me that it’s a model for the world, not just for Iran. It’s a model for the world to follow.
The world is aware of the terrible things that are happening in Iran. It is backing Madam Rajavi, the MEK, the NCRI, and all the other movements that are trying to finally get rid of an oppressive group of mullahs that do not deserve to be there.
So, we’re very close to that. I hope and dream and pray that on the next International Women’s Day, we’ll celebrate with Madam Rajavi in Iran with freedom.
Zinat Mirhashemi, Member of the NCRI and the Central Committee of the Cherik-Hay-E Fedaii Organization (OIPFG)
Women’s rights have always been a challenge for this regime. Regardless of which faction of the regime is in power, discrimination against women has remained in place. The liberation of society depends on the liberation of women. We must emphasize that freeing Iranian women is only possible through regime change.
The regime has institutionalized discrimination against women in its constitution. At the same time, the remnants of the Pahlavi dynasty are trying to change history and pretend Shah’s regime did not force women to remove their hijab. The women did not have any rights under the previous regime.
We have seen in the movement of Iranian women and teachers who are in the streets every day that their demands are not something that the Shah’s regime can respond to. They can’t steal the hundred-year struggle of the Iranian people. The remnants of the Pahlavi dynasty can’t divert the course of this revolution. They are taking advantage of women to change their turban with a crown.
The NCRI is the democratic alternative to this regime. Women’s participation in this movement’s leadership guarantees the ten-point plan of Maryam Rajavi.
Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties (Ukraine) and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize 2022 and Democracy Defender Award of OSCE 2016
The Iranian authorities use gender discrimination as a tool to suppress women and make half the population invisible.
The demands of Iranian women are not extraordinary. They just simply ask to be recognized as human beings. I’m a Ukrainian woman and I am in full solidarity with my Iranian sisters. I know that they face with enormous Persecutions, tortures, beatings, detention, abductions, sexual violences, Killings and other kind of offenses.
I am aware that the Iranian government even deliberately persecute schoolgirls because they’re Afraid of the young generation. They know that their own time is ending.
I live in Kiev, and my native City, like other Ukrainian cities, are constantly Being shelled not just by Russian rockets, but also with Iranian drones, because of the regimes of Russia and Iran Cooperate with each other.
And we people who are fighting for freedom and human dignity, have to support each other as well. Because our future Depends on the result of the battle of Iranian women. And I know that sometimes our fight for freedom and human dignity may seem without sense because of the enormous opposing power. But we must continue our fight honestly and the result, even unexpectedly, will be achieved.
Hon. Candice Bergen Harris, a former Canadian Member of Parliament, and the Leader of Canada’s Conservative Party (2022)
As we celebrate International Day of the Woman, I can think of no other example of women standing up for women’s rights than Iranian women, not only in Iran, but Iranian women around the world. And let me say this you will go down in history as not only the ones who delivered freedom for women, but democracy, autonomy and prosperity for an entire nation and we stand with you.
Mrs. Rajavi, thank you for your vision and thank you for the spirit that you have imparted to the women that serve around you.
I’ve had the joy and the privilege of meeting some of these incredible young women, and they have sacrificed so much. Their own family, some of their own hopes and dreams, some of the things that make them a woman, the nurturing and the joys that they could have had, but they have sacrificed that for a greater joy, a greater calling. They’re not competing with each other. They’re not trying to get ahead so many times.
The women who are serving for this incredible, incredible not just cause, but purpose, Mrs. Rajavi, have your spirit, and that is the spirit of sacrifice, of lifting each other up. And I know that is why so much can be accomplished. Thank you. Thank you.
Rama Yade, Former French Human Rights Minister
Speaking about the Iranian women is speaking about all women.
The Iranian woman now represents all women in search of freedom. Women’s Month celebrates them, more than any other, because we know that they speak for all.
By demonstrating in the streets, the Iranian people are demanding changes for their most fundamental freedoms. These are legitimate demands and which should not be repressed.
It is rare to see a feminist movement being the trigger, the driver and the heart of a national revolution: this is the strength of this movement. They are the direction and leadership of this movement. Like in the MEK and with Mrs. Rajavi, they lead the movement. Ms. Rajavi has led the way, has initiated the movement, has been the heart of this movement for 30 years. I thank her for that.
So today, for the next days, the next weeks, next months, next years, we will be by their side to accompany their courage and bravery, but also encourage, not only the public opinion, but also with governments to support them until they become free.
Margarita Duran Vadell, former Spanish Senator, Journalist
The active presence and the leading role of women in the present uprising is not a spontaneous phenomenon. They are a major force for change for good reason.
The main opposition for the MEK has been led by women for more than three decades. And not only the main leader, Maryam Rajavi, women in this organization at all levels of leadership have trolled their abilities and competencies. The presence of these women in such a position has had its unique impact on Iranian society.
The MEK under the leadership of women is the antithesis of fundamentalism, both in action and theory. They are the role model for women in Iran, and the mullahs know it. That is why they have denigrated the movement in every possible way. That is why they have spread all kinds of lies about their members and especially about their leaders. That is why they have tried to kill her more than once. Because the mullahs are afraid of the strength, of the courage of Iranian women. Because they know that Iranian women are not going to give up. They know that Iranian women want democracy, freedom, and equality. And if some governments stop supporting the mullahs’ regime, if they in European Union stop ignoring their atrocities and act forcefully, Iranian women will succeed.
Maria Grecea, former Romanian MP
On international women’s day, we recognize the ongoing struggle for gender equality in Iran. I’m proud to stand in solidarity with the women of Iran in your current Iran revolution. I would like to start by raising concerns about a tragedy that has touched many of us. The serial crime of poisoning schoolgirls in Iran. It is imperative that we act and raise our voices in protest of the poisoning of girls and the lack of security in educational institutions.
I joined Madam Rajavi in calling the United Nations Special Reporter on violence against women to promptly investigate this matter and for a UN Delegation to visit Iran urgently.
During my visit to Ashraf 3 last year, I had the privilege of meeting several generations of courageous women. Led by the inspiring Madam Rajavi, the women of the Iranian resistance have become the inspiration in the fight for freedom, demonstrating remarkable resilience and bravery against the oppressive regime. Their nonstop commitment to the cause is a testament to their strength, and their actions have proved that gender equality can be achieved in practice. As someone who has been a part of the women’s movement for a decade, I am proud to stand with these courageous women in their quest for a free and democratic secular republic in Iran.
Melissa Lantsman, Canadian MP
Hi, I’m Melissa Lantsman, a member of parliament from Thornhill, Canada, and the deputy leader of Canada’s official opposition. Part of the conservative party, that has been with you, marching with you since the beginning of this revolution. And six months later, the beat of the revolution beats strong. And we will stand with you until the end, until there is a free Iran. This revolution has been led by women.
We will continue to stand with you by calling on the Canadian government to finally do the right thing, to list the IRGC as terrorists, and to stop these mullahs from spreading their wings across the world and making the world a more dangerous place. We will stand with those who are fighting this revolution for a free Iran, a better future for the women, for the men, for the young people, for a future of Iran that looks to the values of freedom, of democracy, of the rule of law.