As International Women’s Day approaches, the NCRI Women’s Committee proudly presents its Annual Report 2025, offering a comprehensive review of the past year’s pivotal events. The report sheds light on the ongoing struggle of women in Iran, documenting their unrelenting fight for freedom, democracy, and equality in the face of systemic repression.
The report, introduced by a poignant foreword from Ms. Sarvnaz Chitsaz, Chair of the Committee, paints a vivid picture of women’s unyielding pursuit of freedom in the face of brutal repression.
A Year of Resistance and Defiance
The first chapter, “Unyielding Struggle,” highlights the extraordinary courage of Iranian women, whose voices continue to rise in defiance against an oppressive regime. Whether leading street protests or standing firm as key members of the Resistance Units, these women refuse to be silenced. Their unwavering determination is juxtaposed with the grim reality of incarceration, as many women face imprisonment for their advocacy of freedom and equality.
A Glimpse into the Harsh Realities of Iranian Women’s Lives
In the second chapter of the Annual Report 2025, “The State of the People,” the report turns its focus to the lived experiences of Iranian women—university students fighting against educational repression, nurses laboring under dire conditions, teachers struggling against unpaid wages, and female heads of households battling economic hardship. This chapter paints a picture of systemic neglect, where women are systematically deprived of their basic rights, yet continue to fight for dignity and justice.
The Hidden Epidemic: Violence, Repression, and Executions
Chapter 3, “The Hidden Epidemic,” exposes the horrific violence perpetrated against women and girls in Iran. From child brides to femicide, from honor killings to the enforced Hijab and Chastity Law, this chapter unveils the most harrowing aspects of the regime’s war on women. It also draws attention to the alarming rise in executions of women, highlighting the regime’s brutal attempts to quash dissent through violence.
Iran’s Gender Divide: A Struggle for Equality in a Male-Dominated Society
In “Deepening Divide,” the report explores Iran’s profound gender gap and its far-reaching consequences on women’s access to education, professional opportunities, and political leadership. Despite the regime’s attempts to marginalize women, the report underscores their relentless efforts to overcome these barriers, fueling a revolution that seeks to shatter the chains of inequality.
A Nation in Struggle: Poverty, Migration, and Social Decay
Chapter 5, “Growing Social Ills,” highlights the crisis facing women in Iran’s collapsing economy. With poverty rates skyrocketing, many women are forced to make impossible choices, leading to increasing rates of feminized migration, suicide, and addiction. The report paints a sobering portrait of a nation at the crossroads of profound hardship, where over 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. These dire conditions are a direct result of the oppressive policies of the clerical regime. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Iranian women remain steadfast in their pursuit of dignity and justice, continuing their fight for a better future.
The Annual Report 2025 is not just a recounting of the past year—it is a clarion call to action. It stands as a testament to the courage and determination of Iranian women who continue to challenge an oppressive regime, no matter the cost. The NCRI Women’s Committee invites readers to engage with this vital report and reflect on the urgent need for global solidarity in the fight for women’s rights in Iran.
Here’s the foreword by Ms. Sarvnaz Chitsaz, Chair of the NCRI Women’s Committee:
Over the past year, another chapter has been written in the enduring epic of Iranian women and girls in their struggle for freedom and equality. With unwavering courage and unbreakable resolve, Iran’s rebellious and resilient women have raised the banner of “Woman, Resistance, Freedom” across the nation.
Resistance and uprising are the legitimate rights of an oppressed people—rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the final recourse against tyranny and repression. Under the rule of a brutal dictatorship, resistance is not merely a choice but a necessity. It is the force that keeps hope alive, fuels organization, and paves the way to freedom.
This past year saw a surge in the activities of women within the Resistance Units, inspiring all sectors of society. These brave women and girls, undeterred by the regime’s brutal crackdowns and relentless assaults, have shattered the barrier of fear. Refusing to retreat from the path of struggle, they have stood at the forefront of Iran’s rebellious youth, illuminating the dark nights of their homeland with their defiance.
Their widespread role in organizing and leading protests is a testament to their unwavering commitment to overthrowing the regime. In the streets, universities, and workplaces, women have led the charge with anti-dictatorship slogans, spearheading popular uprisings. Their powerful presence has reinvigorated the resistance movement, forging an unbreakable bond between generations of freedom fighters.
Even behind bars, female political prisoners have turned prisons into battlegrounds, defying escalating repression and severe consequences. The women’s ward of Evin Prison was among the first to courageously join the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign. On the anniversaries of the 2018 and 2019 uprisings, they staged sit-ins in the prison yard, chanting Death to the Dictator, proving that resistance remains alive even in the regime’s darkest dungeons. Their defiance sent a powerful message of perseverance and determination, resonating throughout society.
Across Iran, women have been at the forefront of social protests. Their role has been more prominent than ever in the demonstrations of teachers, nurses, and retirees—sectors that have suffered the most under the regime’s corrupt and disastrous policies. Over the past year, through widespread strikes and protests, these groups have strengthened their bond with the nationwide struggle for regime change.
From the streets of Tehran to towns and cities across the country, women have stood their ground, resisted repression, and amplified the voice of justice louder than ever. The unity and solidarity among nurses, teachers, and retirees from all corners of Iran serve as undeniable proof that women are the backbone of this relentless uprising.
One of the regime’s key strategies has been imposing compulsory veiling and using it as a tool of repression. Over the past year, the regime sought to enforce its new Chastity and Hijab Law yet faced with the unyielding resistance of women and the looming threat of another uprising, it was forced to retreat.
Iranian women have shown that oppressive laws will never break their resolve. Instead, it is the regime that must ultimately back down.
But their struggle is not merely about the right to choose their attire. A new revolution is unfolding—one that will secure women’s active and equal participation in political leadership. As Maryam Rajavi has consistently affirmed on behalf of the Iranian Resistance:
No to compulsory hijab, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory governance.
This Annual Report is more than a chronicle of the past year’s events; it is irrefutable evidence that Iranian women have made their choice—to win their freedom at any cost. They draw inspiration from trailblazing women who, beyond shaping their own destinies, are forging the future of their society and country.
This is a 43-year journey marked by blood, tears, perseverance, and courage—one that now stands closer than ever to a decisive turning point. With unwavering steps, Iran’s women are prepared to turn the darkest page in the nation’s history.
Without a doubt, the mullahs’ regime will be toppled—led by the fearless women who chosen to resist.
