Highlights from the NCRI Women’s Committee IWD2023 Conference – Part 2
IWD2023 – Paying tribute to the courage of Iranian women in their struggle for freedom and equality
The NCRI Women’s Committee sponsored a magnificent conference in Brussels on Saturday, March 4, 2023, to honor International Women’s Day. The conference entitled, “Onward to a Democratic Republic, Iranian Women Leading the Way,” featured dozens of prominent female policymakers, former ministers, experts, and rights activists. PMOI women at Ashraf-3, Albania, joined the conference online, and two addressed it.
The conference’s keynote speaker was the NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi, whose speech has been published separately.
This is part 2 of our report on this women’s conference and excerpts from its inspiring speeches.
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.
