On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran hosted a conference to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD2025). The event gathered distinguished political leaders, human rights advocates, and supporters of the Iranian Resistance from over 80 countries.
Ingrid Betancourt is a Colombian politician, former senator, and anti-corruption activist, especially opposing political corruption. She ran for president in Columbia. She has steadfastly supported the Iranian people and their democratic aspirations.
Ingrid Betancourt delivered a speech at the IWD2025 event in Paris, the text of which is presented below.
Ingrid Betancourt: The Heart of the Fight for Women’s Rights in Iran
There is no place in the world where I would rather celebrate International Women’s Day than here.
Yes, there is no place on earth where I would rather celebrate Women’s Day than here. Because here, we are at the heart of the fight for women’s rights. The women of the Iranian Resistance have been fighters for women’s rights for a lifetime–since they were kids.
Two tyrannies. Two oppressive systems working against women. Against their right to be themselves. Against their right to live their culture, to express their souls, to speak and act freely.
The Roots of Misogyny and Tyranny
I want to thank Maryam for the incredible speech she gave us today. At the heart of her message is an essential question: What does it mean to stand against women in today’s world? What is misogyny today?
Well, today, as in the past, misogyny is the gateway to tyranny. I don’t know if you have seen it, but there is an interview from the 1970s with Barbara Walters and the Shah of Iran. It is a remarkable interview because, as you watch it, you feel deeply uncomfortable.
Barbara Walters challenges the Shah on his statement that women should only be beautiful and that they have contributed nothing to the world. When she confronts him, saying, “What about Marie Curie?” he dismisses her as an exception.
And she asks, “Do you think your wife, Farah Diba, is an exception?” And then you can see how uncomfortable he becomes and how she is judging him.
And yet, she is under the rule of this person who embodies tyranny. And it is exactly the same type of rhetoric we find today with the ayatollahs. Don’t you think that is so strange?
Two Faces of the Same Oppression
So strange, for example, that the Shah, who was misogynistic, is also the one speaking about a revolutionary resurgence for Iran, yet finds no better way than to exclude all parties and all political expression in order to rule alone.
His prime minister was, at the same time, the secretary general of his own party.
It was all an in-house arrangement. The country was his possession, and we see exactly the same behavior in the ayatollahs today. I am reminded of an article I read in an Iranian state-controlled newspaper.
It was interesting because they were boasting that having the monarchists as the opposition today was beneficial because, in reality, the monarchists would never regain power, but they were useful in dividing the opposition in Iran.
Well, you know what? The opposition is not divided.
Because monarchists and the ayatollahs are the same. They are in the same group. And the Resistance is a resistance for human rights, for the ten points that Maryam has been reiterating for years, for decades.
Women at the Core of Leadership
And that is exactly why we, the women of the world, whether Iranian or not, are all fighting for the same cause across the world.
But I think we must recall what Maryam told us today because it highlights the difference. Why does being here, in the Iranian Resistance, mean so much to all of us?
Because it is the first organization in the world, in history, that, except for the myth of the Amazons, has placed women at the core of leadership.
We women, anyone who has engaged in politics here knows, are always seen as a second-best choice. We must fight our way through just to have a seat at the table. Well, here, women are sitting at the table.
Why? Because of this leader, Maryam Rajavi, who has decided…
Well, I will say something. I know that Maryam believes she is not exceptional. But I want to tell you, Maryam, that you are exceptional. You did not arrive at your position as the leader of this Resistance merely because of destiny or obligation. No.
You have done what no one else could do—you conceived a way not only to confront the tyranny of the Iranian regime but also the entire system of tyranny that has existed in Iran for decades, from the Shah to the ayatollahs.
And you gave the women of your organization the opportunity to prepare for leadership, to learn how to manage, how to administrate, how to organize events and venues.
Everything is always impeccable—the schedule, the transportation, everything. And now, I am speaking not because I go before anyone here but because I have a train to catch.
A New Model for Gender Equality
And they know it, so they are making sure I can be here and then go to my next commitment. And they do this for all of us, all the time, one hundred percent. This is what women do. They coordinate. They organize.
They make things happen. And what is beautiful in this organization is not only that women are leaders at all levels but that men are also leaders—and they are not competing.
They do not feel diminished because women are making decisions. They feel motivated.
They embrace a different kind of gender relationship, and that is what I want for the world. So when we reflect on your words, you spoke about confronting narcissism and egocentric impulses.
Wow. We have plenty of that in the world today. Wow. We need women. We need women now, at the highest levels, making decisions in this world.
The Power of Sisterhood and Solidarity
And I believe it is so important to understand that we, as women, bring soul and spirituality to politics. We bring a different approach to decision-making. And when I think of Maryam, I wonder—what is the key to her success?
I have observed you for so long.
And I believe it is things like respect. I have always seen her respect everyone in her organization, especially women. Because we all know that sometimes, women can be a little harsh with one another.
Right? Yes. But here, no. Here, there is sisterhood. And it is so important to build on sisterhood—to be respectful, to uphold justice, to acknowledge when someone has done better than you and simply say it.
“You were better. You were great. You impressed me.” To be able to build in solidarity and empathy. And that, I believe, is love.
Love Will Free Iran
And so, I leave you with all my love. With all my love, I want to say that through you, through all of you—but especially through you, because you embody this Resistance—love will free Iran.
Love will free Iran. Because that is how it works, and I truly believe that if we take care of Iran, we take care of so much in the world.
I believe that the day we see the free Iran we all hope for—a free Iran shaped by the power of women—the world will change.
Iran will change the world. So, my dear sisters, my friends at heart, all of you, let us rise together to bring change—as women, with men. Thank you.
