Women’s conference decries oppression of women in Iran

Afghan, Iranian, Arab and Kurdish women participated in a women’s online conference on 6 March. The Conference Preparation Committee issued a 6-point final declaration, Hawar News Agency reported.

Revolutionary Afghan Women’s Association member Sara Sema, Iran Trinunal organisation member Mêrsêde Qaidî, Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research’s (KJAR’s) member Mîryem Fetihî, human rights activist Heyfa Elesedî, Iran’s Democracy Platform Coordination member Besê Şamarî participated in the conference and shared their perspectives.

The final conference declaration stated that:

“1 – The common struggle of women should be against ‘war politics’, occupation and global imperialism. Women should unite.

2 – Support will be given to migrant and refugee women, who are victims of chauvinist politics and whose rights are taken away, especially Afghan women in Iran.

3 – There will be a joint struggle against the laws of the Islamic Republic that oppress women.

4 – There will be a joint struggle against the politics of the Islamic Republic that oppresses women ethnically, economically and politically.

5 – There will be a joint struggle for the freedom of women in prisons.

6 – Women will unite to build mechanisms that protect women from violence. Various movements will unite around a joint campaign. The aim will be to prevent all kinds of terrorist attacks against women.”

Many women’s organisations participated in this initiative and initiated a signature campaign calling for solidarity. The Independent Women of Cologne, the Swedish Women’s Rights Committee, Şehên Puya and Mêhengîz Nimet also supported the signature campaign.