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.
Mahnaz Farahani is a member of the PMOI Central Council at Ashraf-3.
Mahnaz Farahani addressed the participants of the IWD 2025 event in Paris via video link. Below is the text of her speech.
From Architecture to Activism: Mahnaz Farahani’s Journey for Iran’s Freedom
Thank you. I’m so grateful to be here with you today, among such strong women. My name is Mahnaz. I’m one of the women in Ashraf three.
Let me introduce myself first. I studied architecture in Iran, and I was pursuing my master’s degree when I made a life-changing decision.
I realized that to build a beautiful Iran, we don’t just need leading architects but outstanding freedom fighters. As a conscious and knowledgeable woman, I chose to take this path.
I decided to leave behind everything that I like and join the resistance for the freedom of Iran.
Let me ask you something first. How many of you have ever faced a situation where you had to fight for your rights?
However, I think all of you have had this chance already. Now imagine living in a country where the most basic rights like choosing what to wear, speaking freely, or dreaming of an equal future are considered crimes.
This is the reality for the women in my country, Iran. We are facing a regime that is fundamentally against women. A regime that does not see us as equals, that denies our most basic rights.
In many countries these days, women are fighting for equal pay, leadership roles, or representation, but in my country, Iran, it’s completely different.
Our fight begins with removing the biggest obstacle, the ruling fundamentalist regime. That is why Iranian women do not ask for just the reform from this regime. We demand its complete overthrow.
Stronger Together: A Voice for Iran’s Brave Women
Despite all these oppressions, Iranian women have never given up. Young women led the 2022 uprising, taking to the streets, standing on the front line, and joining Resistance Units.
They are not fighting for just their own rights, but for an entire nation.
Today, I’m here with you, and I thank you all for standing with us, the women of the Iranian Resistance, because together we are unstoppable.
I want to personally thank each of you for making us and others stronger than always. Thank you so much.
