We support this appeal by feminists and women's rights activists in Iran and invite everyone to sign it.
To put an end to violence, to repression, and to obtain the immediate release of all the arrested women activists, we call on the associations, the organisations for women's rights, and feminists throughout the world to show their solidarity with the struggle of Iranian women, by organising initiatives on the 8th March 2010, with the slogan "Freedom and Gener Equality in Iran" as a sign of support for the Iranian women.
For more than 30 years, the women's movement in Iran has been in the front line of the struggle for freedom and equality. Gender discrimination goes hand in hand with the other forms of subordination based on social class, ethnic group, political ideology, and religion.
The progress of democratic though is supported by the peaceful resistence of men and women in defense of gender equality in the judicial, cultural, social and economic areas. For years, Iranian women, using different individual and collective methods, have organised campaigns to change the discriminatory laws and have contributed to the diffusion of gender equality.
By doing this, we risk threats, arrests and trials - many are still in jail.
The 30th anniversary of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) - which Iran has not signed - coincides with the anniversary of 30 years of discrimination against Iranian women and in view of the 15th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in which Iran participated, it can be seen that Iran has not committed itself to end discrimination againstwomen.
In such a delicate situation it become more than necessary to develope female solidarity at a global level with Iranian women, in particular with activists who work for equality of rights and to establish democracy in Iran.
We invite those who defend women's rights, associations, women's organisations, and international networks to show solidarity with the Iranian women and with the democracy movement in Iran.
For more than 30 years, the women's movement in Iran has been in the front line of the struggle for freedom and equality. Gender discrimination goes hand in hand with the other forms of subordination based on social class, ethnic group, political ideology, and religion.
The progress of democratic though is supported by the peaceful resistence of men and women in defense of gender equality in the judicial, cultural, social and economic areas. For years, Iranian women, using different individual and collective methods, have organised campaigns to change the discriminatory laws and have contributed to the diffusion of gender equality.
By doing this, we risk threats, arrests and trials - many are still in jail.
The 30th anniversary of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) - which Iran has not signed - coincides with the anniversary of 30 years of discrimination against Iranian women and in view of the 15th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in which Iran participated, it can be seen that Iran has not committed itself to end discrimination againstwomen.
In such a delicate situation it become more than necessary to develope female solidarity at a global level with Iranian women, in particular with activists who work for equality of rights and to establish democracy in Iran.
We invite those who defend women's rights, associations, women's organisations, and international networks to show solidarity with the Iranian women and with the democracy movement in Iran.
The following are some ways in which you can show solidarity with the Iranian women. These are only examples, don't hesitate to be creative in your expressions of solidarity.
- Mark the 8th March, concentrating on the situation of women in Iran in publications, blogs, public meetings, demonstrations, and assembies.
- Organise local events concentrating on the struggle underway in Iran as part of the World March of Women.
- Use the slogan "Freedom and Gender Equality in Iran" on web sites, Op-Eds, leaflets, publicity, demonstrations and in other innovative actions adopted by activists, artists, feminists, and intellectuals.
- Stay in contact (iran.genderequality@gmail.com) by way of our blog, Facebook group “Gender Equality” and the Twitter page, where news of the reactions to the freedom and gender equality initiative will be covered.
- Make short films and take photos of your actions and send them to href="mailto:iran.genderequality@gmail.com">
