NCRI Women’s Committee Annual Report focuses on women’s bravery and leadership role in the 2022 Iran uprising, which has been recognized as one of the world’s most significant events of the year.
Iranian women have a long history of struggling for their democratic rights, especially over the past 44 years since the 1979 Revolution. Despite the increasing restrictions on their rights and freedoms under the mullahs’ rule, women defied the oppressors and joined the main opposition force, the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK), where they proved to be indispensable to the movement.
Women’s role in the opposition movement has impacted their social struggles, and the world has seen Iranian women playing a more prominent role in the protests from 2009 to 2019, 2018, and 2022. The 2022 uprising has entered its sixth month, with at least 750 protesters killed, including 84 women and 70 children. Around 30,000 protesters have been arrested and subjected to brutal torture, including sexual assault and gang rapes. The regime has also handed down death sentences for many detained protesters, including teenagers and juveniles, in unfair trials without legal representation.
At least 750 protesters were killed, including 84 women and 70 children. Around 30,000 protesters have been arrested and subjected to brutal torture during 6 months uprising in Iran.
Despite the regime’s brutal attempts to suppress the protests, they continue, to focus on a single slogan, “Death to Khamenei,” indicating the protesters’ desire for the regime’s overthrow. Another frequently chanted slogan is “Death to the oppressor, be it the shah or the [mullahs’ supreme] leader,” indicating the people of Iran’s rejection of all forms of dictatorship and yearning for a democratic, pluralistic society founded on the separation of religion and state and gender equality.
The security forces responded with violence, even on university premises, and abducted students from dormitories without legal warrants at midnight or in the early morning.
Another prominent feature of the uprising was that college and high school student spearheaded it, with an average of 100 universities across the country being scenes of protests by young women and men every day.
The NCRI Women’s Committee Annual Report highlights the crucial role of women in the 2022 Iran uprising and their long history of struggle for democratic rights. The free world needs to lend greater support to the democratic revolution for which our empty-handed compatriots and the courageous women and youths of Iran are laying down their lives.
The regime’s attack on Evin Prison on October 15, burning down the compound, was an attempt to silence the unyielding protesters inside. Between 30 to 40 prisoners are believed to have died during the attack, and dozens more were badly wounded but were abandoned without medical care.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTub