International Women's Day: A Call for Action Against Gender-Based Oppression in Iran
Over a century ago, pioneers of the women’s rights movement declared March 8 as International Women’s Day, a day to honor those who have fought and sacrificed for freedom and equality. Today, it remains a global call to action against gender discrimination, yet the persistence of systematic oppression against women is a stark reminder of the long road ahead. In the 21st century, despite extraordinary advancements in science, technology, and communication, half of humanity continues to suffer from systemic oppression—nowhere more starkly than in Iran, where women face relentless repression, economic marginalization, and systemic efforts to erase their presence from public life.
To be born a woman in Iran is to be born into a battlefield. From childhood, women are confronted with a system designed to deny them a natural and dignified life. They are forced into a constant struggle, not only to cultivate their talents and aspirations but also to push back against the deeply entrenched patriarchal structures that attempt to erase them. Iranian women are not just denied rights; their abilities and contributions are actively silenced. This daily battle for identity and survival has made Iranian women the vanguard of social change. They are deliberately pushed out of public and economic spaces, making their fight not just one for survival but for visibility, recognition, and basic autonomy.
For over 45 years, Iranian women have been at the forefront of resistance, enduring immense psychological, physical, and social harm. They have fought not only against wage inequality and economic hardship but also against a system that reduces them to mere extensions of men, stripping them of political, economic, legal, and cultural agency. From the streets to workplaces, from artistic spaces to courtrooms, they have continued to push forward despite relentless repression. The "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement is not just a slogan—it is a testament to their defiance and unwavering demand for justice.
Yet, the price of resistance is unbearably high. Women who dare to demand equality face brutal retaliation. Women activists across various fields are under immense pressure, facing imprisonment, torture, and even execution for daring to claim their rights. Today, three prominent women activists, Pakhshan Azizi, Sharifeh Mohammadi, and Varisheh Moradi, are facing execution for their unwavering commitment to justice. Their fate is a test for the global human rights community: will the world stand with them, or will it remain silent in the face of state-sanctioned violence?
The oppression of women in Iran is not just a social or political issue—it is also an economic weapon. With a crumbling economy, the burden of financial instability falls disproportionately on women, making them more vulnerable to domestic abuse and systemic violence. The deliberate exclusion of women from the workforce and the erasure of their contributions further reinforce their subjugation. The absence of government protection and economic support traps many in cycles of dependency and suffering, leaving them with no means to escape exploitation and brutality.
This injustice does not only harm women—it has irreversible consequences for children. A society that strips women of their rights deprives children of safety, stability, and hope. Even when a woman finds ways to survive and rebuild, the trauma inflicted on children lingers for a lifetime. No child can truly be free in a world where their mother is oppressed. The fight for gender equality is inseparable from the fight for the rights and well-being of children, particularly in societies where poverty and discrimination deepen cycles of inequality.
More than a century after the first global call for gender equality, discrimination against women persists—but so does resistance.
Despite decades of oppression, Iranian women have continued to lead the fight for justice. They have defied repression, demanded their rightful place in society, and shown extraordinary resilience in the face of relentless brutality. Their defiance has transcended labor rights, legal battles, and artistic expression, culminating in a revolutionary movement that has captured the world’s attention. The uprising led by women, embodied in the words "Woman, Life, Freedom," is recognized globally as the first women-led revolution in history. It is a testament to the unyielding demand for freedom, equality, and dignity for all—an uncompromising stance that Iranian society refuses to negotiate.
On this International Women’s Day, we call on human rights organizations, policymakers, and activists worldwide to act. The international community must amplify the voices of Iranian women, demand the release of political prisoners, and hold the Iranian government accountable for its crimes against women. Silence is complicity.
The United Nations has declared this year’s theme: 'For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.' But in Iran, these fundamental principles remain under attack. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that Iranian women and girls are not excluded from this global vision of justice and equality.
The fight for women’s rights is a fight for human rights. A society that denies women their rights is a society that denies justice, equality, and dignity to all. As long as Iranian women are oppressed, as long as their voices are silenced, the struggle for freedom and equality remains unfinished.
This International Women’s Day, let us stand in solidarity with the women of Iran. Their fight is our fight, and their freedom is a cause that belongs to us all.
