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 (IWD 2025). The event gathered distinguished political leaders, human rights advocates, and supporters of the Iranian Resistance from over 80 countries.
Katja Adler is a German politician from the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and civil servant. She has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2021.
Katja Adler delivered a speech at the IWD 2025 event in Paris, the text of which is presented below.
Katja Adler: Honoring Courage and the Fight for Freedom
Distinguished guests, dear Mrs. Rajavi,
Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, and dear women of the Iranian Resistance,
Thank you very much for the invitation, for the warm welcome, and, above all, for your courage.
Freedom and democracy have been taken away from the Iranian people. Now, the Iranian people seek to reclaim their freedom and democracy. Brave Iranian women have repeatedly demonstrated their determination to live in freedom, time and again, despite constant threats to their lives.
Women: The Driving Force of Change
They are the driving force of change. Yet in Iran, women are not only fighting for their own rights; they are also fighting for a democratic and just future for the entire society. True change requires a democratic alternative in which women play a central role.
Women’s participation in political leadership is essential—only in this way can freedom and democracy take root throughout society. Iranian women are resisting one of the most persistent forms of tyranny—religious fundamentalism. They have shown that standing up to this oppressive ideology is not only crucial for Iran but for the entire region.
A Four-Decade Struggle Against Misogyny
The Iranian regime is a misogynistic regime. The struggle of women in Iran did not begin with the recent uprisings; it started over four decades ago with the establishment of the religious dictatorship. They have made great sacrifices. Iranian women have become the strongest force of resistance against the regime—a struggle whose message extends far beyond Iran’s borders.
The International Community’s Responsibility
The international community must not remain indifferent to this fight for freedom and democracy. Our duty in Germany and Europe is to support the Iranian women’s resistance movement and ensure their voices are heard on the global stage. I will continue to strengthen my collaboration with the dedicated and active Iranian women. Gender equality is not just an ideal—it is the foundation of a modern society.
Beyond the Veil: The Broader Fight for Rights
A widespread misconception is that Iranian women are only protesting for social rights, such as the right to choose their clothing. In reality, they are demanding full social, economic, and political freedoms—as well as an end to the clerical dictatorship. Reducing their fight to merely opposing the compulsory veil undermines their much broader movement for women’s rights and political change.
Woman, Resistance, Freedom
While the regime has drastically escalated its crackdown on women through its new repressive “Chastity and Hijab” law, millions of brave women in recent months have transformed the well-known slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom” into “Woman, Resistance, Freedom.” This is a clear signal. A clear signal that they refuse to submit.
The only path to change is forward.
Thank you.
