IWD conference in Italy in solidarity with the women of Iran
Iranian associations supporting the Iranian Resistance held a virtual conference on Friday, March 5, 2021, to celebrate International Women’s Day. Many parliamentarians, political personalities, and women’s rights advocates from Italy participated in the conference. The speakers enumerated parts of the crimes of the clerical regime against Iranian women and praised the struggle of Iranian women to achieve freedom and their basic rights.
Maryam Rajavi: Eventually, Iranian women will defeat the mullahs’ regime
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, addressed the IWD conference in Italy via a video message. In part of her speech, Mrs. Rajavi said:
International Women’s Day bears the promise of a new world without inequalities, oppression, humiliation, and fundamentalism. This day is a promise for women and everyone.
To cherish International Women’s Day in our country, Iran, one must laud the Iranian women’s willpower to rise against the ruling misogynous dictatorship and struggle to overthrow it.
The clerical regime cannot preserve its rule without the suppression of people, particularly without women’s oppression. Inhuman discriminations against women and imposing various compulsions on them, including the mandatory veil and eliminating women’s rights and freedoms, are inherent to this regime.
Neither will the mullahs remain in power without misogyny, nor is it possible for Iranian women to be free without the regime’s overthrow.
The women of Iran have borne the brunt of the mullahs’ oppression over the past four decades. At the same time, they have played the most significant role in leading the struggle for the regime’s overthrow.
And eventually, Iranian women will be the ones to defeat the ruling fundamentalist regime.
Those who are not closely familiar with the situation in Iran might think that the most critical development in Iran and the entire Middle East is the threat posed by the regime’s nuclear and missile programs and its terrorism in the region.
But the most crucial reality in Iran is the simmering of social will for the regime’s overthrow. The glorious uprising in November 2019 pushed the clerical regime to the verge of downfall.
In the name of the equality movement, I urge all advocates of gender equality across the world to support the arisen women of Iran and the Iranian people’s uprising for freedom.
Call on your governments to make economic and political relations with the criminal mullah regime conditional upon respect for human rights in Iran, especially women and prisoners’ rights.
Stefania Pezzopane: I urge the EU and Italy to take punitive measures against rights abuses in Iran
Mrs. Stefania Pezzopane, a member of the Italian parliament, said: The situation of women in Iran is worse due to the double oppression of women under the theocratic regime. Like women in other countries, they have to fight for higher levels of equality. But they also have to fight for their most basic human rights and individual rights and confront the regime’s repressive organs, which harass them under false religious excuses.
I urge the European Union and the government of Italy to take punitive measures against violations of human rights and the executions in Iran. They must continue relations with Iran contingent on respect for human rights and women’s rights.
Barbara Masini: Women of Iranian Resistance have achieved equality, hold leadership positions
Senator Barbara Masini said: I am pleased to stand with you and with Mrs. Maryam Rajavi on this day. Many political prisoners are incarcerated under horrible conditions in Iranian jails. I must name a few of them: Atena Daemi, 32; Zahra Safaei, 58; Zeinab Jalalian, 38; Forough Taghipour, 25; Maryam Akbari Monfared, 45; Massoumeh Senobari, 32 and Fatemeh Mosanna, 53.
A woman leads the Iranian Resistance movement by Maryam Rajavi, whom I respect very much. More than 50 percent of members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran are women. Maryam Rajavi is a brave woman who is hardworking, honest, and highly selfless and is an inspiration to all Iranians, particularly to women who yearn for freedom, human rights, democracy, social justice, most of all, for equality. Under her leadership, the women of the Iranian Resistance have not only achieved parity. Still, they have also occupied the leadership positions in this great democratic movement that extends from Iran to Europe, the United States, and Ashraf 3 in Albania.
Chiara Gribaudo: Women have played a leading role in Iran uprisings
Chiara Gribaudo, Italian MP, also addressed the IWD conference in Italy. In part of her speech, she said: 114 women have been executed during Rouhani’s presidency. The number of women executed in Iran is larger than in any other country in the world. More than 1,500 protesters, including 400 women, were killed during the November 2019 uprising. No official information has been released until today. Thousands more have been arrested during the protests and are still being tortured or at risk of execution. The Iranian regime has also acknowledged that women have played a leading role in these uprisings.
Isabella Tovaglieri: We work in the EP to raise the voice of Iranian women as loudly as possible
Isabella Tovaglieri, Member of the European Parliament from Italy, said: It is a great honor for me to be with you today to declare the support of members of the European Parliament for all Iranian women struggling. Today, some women live in the worst conditions but fight for liberation by paying a heavy price against the misogynist regime. They are oppressed and tortured. These brave women fight for their freedom and the liberty of the Iranian people. They have our support, and we work in the European Parliament for Iranian women. We will continue this struggle and resistance until we raise the voice of Iranian women as loudly as possible in the democratic organs in Europe. Women have proven to be a force for change. And in the harshest social arenas, they are fighting to overthrow a religious fundamentalist dictatorship and have taken the lead in the uprising for freedom.
Gianna Gancia: We will be the voice of our sisters who live in unbearable conditions in Iran
Gianna Gancia, a Member of the European Parliament from Italy, said in her remarks: The apparent feature of the Iranian regime is misogyny, and this is the essence of this regime. We learned from the press that the Iranian regime hanged Zahra Ismaili. We are on the eve of March 8, International Women’s Day. We should not and cannot forget our sisters who live in these unbearable conditions. We are by their side, and we will be their voice. On the other hand, we also hear about the uprising in Iran, which women often lead. Even in the Iranian resistance –led by a woman, Maryam Rajavi, a Muslim and a democrat– women play a vital role in the struggle against the misogynistic dictatorship.
Concetta Giallombardo: Women of the Iranian Resistance have achieved high levels of awareness and liberation
Concetta Giallombardo, Attorney, President of the Association of Female Jurists from Italy, also addressed the IWD conference in Italy. In part of her speech, she said: The courageous resistance of Iranian women to gender discrimination in the country is commendable. My acquaintance with the Iranian Resistance women in Ashraf 3 was very motivating. I realized how much awareness and liberation the women of the resistance had achieved. How much respect they have for one another, mutual recognition, and complete trust in each other.
Dowlat Norouzi: Women of the Iranian Resistance chose to challenge decades ago
Ms. Dowlat Norouzi, director of the NCRI UK Office, was also among the speakers at the IWD conference in Italy. She said in her speech: This year, the motto of International Women’s Day is ‘Choose to Challenge.’ I am proud to say that the women of the Iranian resistance made this choice several decades ago.
The Iranian Resistance has already adhered to this choice. One can say that all its members and supporters actively support and defend the nomination and election of competent women to hold key positions. These qualified women serve the Iranian people in achieving freedom, democracy, and equality, eliminating all forms of gender, ethnic and religious discrimination, establishing justice, and peaceful coexistence with countries of the world.
Anna Mantini: Discrimination against women is one of the pillars of the mullahs’ regime in Iran
Anna Mantini, Equality Advisor in the Province of Piedmont, Representative of the Italian Ministry of Labor, said in her remarks to the IWD conference in Italy: Iranian women had been fighting since the beginning of the religious dictatorship 40 years ago. To this day, they have set up a proud resistance movement. Women who triumphed over the impossible to make the path to freedom and justice possible. The misogynist regime is increasingly discriminating against women every day. Discrimination against women is one of the pillars of its regime because women are the driving force of uprisings and are always at the forefront, of course, inspired by the 1000 resilient women in Ashraf.
Eleonora Cimbro: Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan is the only way for a democratic Iran
Former member of parliament, Eleonora Cimbro, said: I know many people who work in defense of women’s rights. But your efforts are unprecedented. Particularly the members of the Resistance in Ashraf and everywhere.
I am a teacher, and I speak for my students about the Iranian Resistance, their sacrifice, and their humanitarian principles and values. The young generation, particularly young women, must be aware of this issue to be inspired. Maryam Rajavi stressed an essential point in her speech that international relations with this regime must be contingent on human rights. In Italy, Europe, and the democratic world, we cannot have relations with the Iranian regime without considering human rights. In a free Iran, there is respect for women’s rights. I support Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan because it is the only way for a democratic Iran and women’s liberation.
Laura Zoggia: The Iranian Resistance’s women are at the forefront of the struggle
Laura Zoggia, Mayor of the city of Porte in Italy, recalled her years of cooperation with the Iranian Resistance and said: I am delighted to be by your side, to be a member of your family. I learned very much from the Iranian Resistance’s women who struggle and are at the forefront of the struggle. I hope you can win victory sooner, particularly that the clerical regime is taking advantage of the Coronavirus to annihilate the people of Iran. I wish for a free Iran to return to Iran with you.
Elisabetta Zamparutti: The democratic world must not have relations with the Iranian regime
The next speaker at this conference was Elisabetta Zamparutti, one of the Hands Off Caine Human Rights Association officials. She congratulated Iranian women on March 8 and International Women’s Day. She said the misogynous regime’s inhuman verdicts against women are rooted in the regime’s constitution. These laws interfere in women’s lives’ most personal aspects, from their right to choose their clothing to regard them as second citizens both in society and in the family. Consider the Judiciary in this regime. The testimony of a woman is considered half the testimony of a man. Our countries’ policies must change concerning this regime. The democratic world must not have relations with this regime. To reach a free and democratic Iran, they must pay attention to the Iranian Resistance and its leadership, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi.
Maria Perrone: We stand with our sisters who struggle for Iran’s freedom
Ms. Maria Perrone, from the human rights association of Free Society, also addressed the IWD conference in Italy. In part of her speech, she said: It is horrible to hear that 114 women have been executed during Rouhani’s presidential tenure. This regime is ruling only by torture and execution. Unfortunately, the European Union has a vague policy regarding this regime. Iranian women are in the frontline of the fight against the IRGC. This is why Maryam Rajavi leads this struggle, particularly women’s struggle. We stand with you and the women of the Iranian Resistance. We stand with our sisters who struggle for the freedom of their country.
Azizeh Enayat: Wishing for Iranian women’s success and victory
Ms. Azizeh Enayat, a member of the board of directors of the Council of Afghan Women in Europe, also spoke at the IWD conference in Italy. In part of her speech, she said: I salute the freedom-loving movement of the Iranian Resistance led by a heroic woman, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi. She has always struggled for truth, righteousness, and justice in Iran, particularly for Iran’s oppressed women. For years, she did not allow suppression of the voice of the oppressed. She has always spoken out for the truth with her efforts and struggle. I wish success and victory for the women of Iran, particularly for Mrs. Rajavi, and I pray for greater success for her.
Azar Karimi: The people of Iran deserve a democratic government
In her remarks at the IWD conference in Italy, Ms. Azar Karimi, a member of the Association of Iranian Youths in Italy, said: I am Azar Karimi. I was born in Italy. I am delighted to speak to you on this day to honor International Women’s Day. Indeed, I have not ever seen my country, but I have thought about my people all day and night ever since I have known myself.
I must also point to the leading role of 1,000 heroic women in Ashraf 3 in Albania. The Iranian Resistance movement continues its struggle under Mrs. Maryam Rajavi to overthrow the clerical regime and establish a free Iran where women’s rights are recognized as equal in all realms, where the rights of ethnic and religious minorities are equal. Yes, our people deserve such a government, and we will continue our struggle to achieve this goal.
Samira Ardalan: A new beginning for a great nation and civilization
The last speaker of the conference was Samira Ardalan, another member of the Association of Iranian Youths in Italy. She said in her remarks: I am a medical student. I have never had the chance to see Iran, but my country has always been in my heart. Misogyny is in the Ayatollahs’ DNA. But this 40-year catastrophe paved the way for an epical journey by Iranian women. In this test of honor, not only did women not move backward, but they turned into the pioneers of the movement. This journey has had a high price, where tens of thousands of women have lost their lives. Thousands of mothers have lost their loved ones. And this situation is still ongoing. But this heralds a new Iran, a new beginning for a great nation and civilization. I am thrilled to have known this Resistance and identified with it.
