Today, on the first International #WomensDay since the killing of #MahsaAmini and the dawn of a new chapter in Iran’s struggle for secular democracy and human rights, I am overcome with pride and hope for Iran and the Iranian people, particularly Iranian women.
The women of Iran were the first victims of the Islamic Republic. Years before the disastrous events of 1979, the founder of this regime waged war against women’s rights, revealing the regressive essence of his ideology through objection to extension of suffrage to Iranian women.
Later, this regime institutionalized oppression & discrimination of women, imposing upon them a religious dress code and restricting or prohibiting them from many activities, professions and government posts, enforcing its mandates through limitless brutality and intimidation.
During the dark 44-year period of this regime’s occupation of Iran, Iranian women have fought valiantly for their rights and today they are at the forefront of a historic revolutionary movement - historic not just in the context of our nation’s history, but also for the world.
I am moved by their courage & determination and confident that, together with unwavering support from their fathers, sons & brothers, they will prevail and Iranians will reclaim Iran from this regime and author a future in which women live freely, with equality, alongside men.
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