On Saturday, 21 February 2026, on the eve of March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD2026), the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran hosted an international conference in Paris entitled “Women’s Leadership: An Imperative for a Free Iran and a Democratic Republic.” Prominent political leaders from various countries around the world took part in the event.
Members of the Iranian Resistance in Ashraf-3, Albania, joined the conference via live video link.
The conference opened with remarks by Ms. Sarvnaz Chitsaz, Chair of the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. Speakers underscored the vital importance of women’s political participation and leadership as a determining pillar of any democratic society.
Maryam Rajavi: Iranian Women Have Once Again Proven They Are Not Powerless Victims, but a Force for Change
The keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, who emphasized that the democratic alternative to religious fascism derives its legitimacy from its historic struggle against both the Shah and the ruling clerical regime, as well as from its steadfast commitment in practice to women’s equal participation in political leadership. She stressed that without women’s leadership, democratic change in Iran is unattainable; that following the regime’s overthrow, a peaceful, orderly, and democratic transfer of power would not be conceivable; and that genuine democracy, justice, and development would remain out of reach.
Sarvnaz Chitsaz, Chair of the NCRI Women’s Committee
Iran’s future does not lie in a return to a monarchy, nor does it lie in the current religious dictatorship. Iran’s future lies in freedom, equality and a republic based on the will of the people.
Michèle Alliot-Marie, Former French Minister of the Interior, Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Justice
International Women’s Day is a moment to express our solidarity—to declare our support and to offer our admiration and affection to the men and women of Iran who, with courage and unwavering determination, are rising up against a regime that is among the most brutal in the world.
Carla Sands, Former United States Ambassador to Denmark
Iranian women will be free. But their freedom will not come from illusions about the past, nor through the return of any form of authoritarian rule, whether crowned or turbaned. Their freedom will be achieved by ending this misogynistic regime and by establishing a free, secular, democratic republic.
Ingrid Betancourt, Former Colombian Senator and Presidential Candidate
Iranian women have demonstrated that more than ever, women’s ethics must serve as humanity’s guiding compass. When Iranian women face death without hesitation, they declared something profoundly clear: Gender equality in Iran is not just a reform to be postponed until after political change. Even more, the fight of Iranian women for their independence is the very foundation of a humanistic revolution of the new millennium.
Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Former Prime Minister of Finland
Despite the heavy repression, the Iranian regime has never been able to stop the protests. For many years, across the country, Iranians have led protests that challenge the regime and weaken the foundations of the dictatorship.
Dominique Attias, President of the Administrative Council of the European Lawyers Foundation
The women of Iran—our Iranian sisters—are our sisters. Your history is not one forged between two forms of repression. You were present in the great movements of the twentieth century. Iranian women are not mere observers; they are leading the struggle. Mrs. Rajavi is the legitimate leader of the Resistance and the architect of a new vision for women’s leadership. The Resistance has expanded, and a new generation now stands fearless.
Judy Sgro, Member of the Parliament of Canada
So as we are here to acknowledge International Women’s Day, also have to recognize the work that you have done was not only to the benefit of the Iranian people, it was to the benefit of women around the world.
Senator Elisa Pirro of Italy
Gender discrimination in Iran is one of the pillars of the regime. Women are barred from senior government positions and face systemic discrimination in family law. They endure violence and intimidation. Yet the reality of Iran is not defined by repression alone. The National Council of Resistance of Iran has played a vital role in advancing women’s leadership.
List of Distinguished Speakers at the International Women’s Day Conference
The conference brought together an exceptional group of political leaders, lawmakers, diplomats, and scholars from across the globe, including:
- Anneli Jäätteenmäki – Former Prime Minister of Finland (2003) and former Minister of Justice
- Michèle Alliot-Marie – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State of France (2010–2011)
- Carla Sands – United States Ambassador to Denmark and the Faroe Islands (2017–2021)
- Ingrid Betancourt – Former Colombian presidential candidate
- Rosalía Arteaga – Former Vice President and President of Ecuador (1997)
- Judy Sgro – Member of Parliament of Canada and former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
- Naike Gruppioni – Member of the Italian Parliament, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee
- Senator Elisa Pirro – Member of the Italian Senate
- Linda Chavez – Former Director of Public Liaison at the White House
- Ana Helena Chacón Echeverría – Former Vice President of Costa Rica (2014–2018)
- Dominique Attias – President of the Administrative Council of the European Lawyers Foundation
- Professor Donna Hughes – Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies, United States
- Senator Pilar Rojo – Chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Spain
- Senator Rosa Romero – Chair of the Senate Equality Committee, Spain
- Zinat Mirhashemi – Editor-in-Chief of Nabard-e Khalq and Member of the Central Committee of the Organization of Iranian People’s Fedai Guerrillas
- Helena Carreiras – Minister of National Defense of Portugal (2022–2024)
- Senator Fiona O’Loughlin – Member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Ireland
- Helen Goodman – Former Deputy Leader of the UK House of Commons (2007–2008)
- Eve Borg Bonello – Member of Parliament of Malta
- Senator Ellie van Wijk – Member of the Senate of the Netherlands
- Dorien Rookmaker – Former Member of the European Parliament, Netherlands
- Karen Smith – Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect (2019–2021)
- Elisabetta Zamparutti – Former Member of the Italian Parliament
This distinguished assembly reflected the broad international support for women’s leadership and democratic change in Iran.
