Articles

The violence inflicted on women for years, in both the public and private domains, is now coupled with the violence against society. It has become a norm and a habit in the relations between the various levels of society and among the various groups of people, the norm which is met sometimes with resignation and sometimes vengeful reaction . The evil of violence has taken root in the depths of social and family relations as well as in the depths of our political culture. It shamelessly imposes its ugly presence in society

I am near the 7th Tir Square to visit a friend. A young woman and a young man are accompanying me. I am not sure if I am looking after them or they are protecting me. When we reach the square, I see protestors running, some with green tokens. I see an old lady fall to the ground. Plain clothed men pounce on her. Some of them can’t be older than her grandchildren. The Greens run back at them. They leave her and run away.

In the flood of news and information that surrounds us every day, we may take for granted the constant ripple of voices around the globe whose struggle to be heard often ends in violence, imprisonment or death. Ironically, it is only the new information age that is allowing many of those voices to be heard for the first time; voices that were previously muffled by oppressive regimes.
What an outside audience may see as sudden bursts of political activism often reflects years of dialogue (...)

Feminist School:A new movement called the “Green Movement†has recently been born in our country. This newborn movement has its own specific demands, its known representatives and ideological leadership, and a vast and specific network of executive forces and activists. It also has certain technological and digital capabilities and its specific mechanisms to connect its members and mobilize them. Considering the creativity and potential of this civil movement in creating “composite (...)

The women of our country ask in amazement on the causes of such raw and violent reaction, as to where it fits within our countries history that has been known for its humane interactions. Without a doubt that such a tragedy will lay on the door step of those responsible but are we, the people, without any faults?

A mother protecting her child isn’t anything unique. But in Iran, humanitarian activist mothers are now becoming global icons for human rights causes worldwide. In silent public protest, the ‘Mourning Mothers of Iran,’ known locally in Tehran as the ‘Mothers of Laleh,’ stand together each week, on Saturday evening vigils in Tehran’s Laleh Park.
“I urge all women around the world to show their solidarity with the Committee of Iranian Mothers in Mourning by assembling in parks, in their respective (...)

The following article appeared in Persian for the first time on the occasion of International Workers Day- May 1st, in order to point out on a group of women who receive no wages and bonuses, who carry out tiresome work and then was used as a part of the exhibition of Iranian Women’s Museum in Bonn on September 2009.

Feminist School: During the campaign of the 10th presidential election, The Coalition of the Iranian Women’s Movement for Viocing their demands in the Election tried to contact Mr Ahmadinejad as one of the 4 candidates, so we could put our questions and concerns on women’s issues, but according to his schedule the meeting did not take place. His lack of response (unlike the other 3 candidates), is indicative of his attempt to avoid facing women interviewers- something that did not escape (...)

The coalition tried to bring women’s issues to the surface through their publications and through appearances in the media, on the campaign trails and at street rallies, press conferences, and interviews with the candidates. They effectively utilized the new communication technology (SMS via cell phones, e-mails, and the Internet) to network and mobilize activists. Meanwhile, a film made by a prominent feminist director, Rakhshan Banietemad, put all of these efforts together in a documentary accessible on the Internet. The film included revealing interviews on women’s issues with some prominent artists and the presidential candidates while they were sitting along with their wives.

Now we are witnessing that the young generation of the women’s movement, relying on its real life experiences, has decided to distance itself from abstract debates. It seeks to consciously lift itself to the lively current of daily life, pay attention to pragmatic philosophy and put this course to test with self-esteem and full preparation.