Action Alert | Women, Life, Freedom
How you can support the Women of Iran
As the holidays approach, it is the season for year-end wrap-ups. From Forbes’s Most Powerful Women to Time’s Person of the Year, there are plenty of women to celebrate.
This year, Time Magazine named the Women of Iran as the 2022 Heroes of the Year, and rightfully so. But even heroes need help, and the fight for freedom and democracy is just beginning.
Keep reading for a quick summary of the movement and a few ways you can lend your support and amplify their voice.
Women, Life, Freedom
In September, the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country’s morality police sparked uprisings from women all over the country and solidarity protests across the globe. While the protesters are of both genders and all ages, the core is a women's movement, with the motto of the protests being “Women, Life, Freedom.”
Unlike in the U.S., protesting is illegal in Iran. Over 400 protesters have been killed so far, which is likely underestimated. Over 15,000 people have been arrested, and Iran committed the first execution of one of the arrested protesters, a 23-year-old man, on Thursday.
What are they protesting?
The primary demand of the protests is for the country to take steps to become a democracy. Among the secondary demands of the protesters are an end to dress codes and the compulsory hijab for women, an end to gender segregation in public spaces like college campuses, and freedom to pursue different careers.
How can you support the protests?
Because of the crackdowns on the internet and social media in the country, the protesters have had trouble spreading information about what’s happening in the country to the international community. One of the best things you can do to support the movement is to follow Iranian activists to continue to educate yourself and share information about the protesters.
What else can you do?
The U.S. is voting on December 14 to remove Iran from the UN commission on women’s rights. Some activists are demanding that the U.S. and the Biden administration stop renegotiations on the 2015 JCPOA (Iranian nuclear deal), which protesters believe will help strengthen the Iranian regime.
If these are actions you support, make your voice heard! Contact your Federal or State Representatives quickly and easily using AIT’s voter resources map.
You want to do more? Amazing.
Finally, if you are financially able, donate to groups or organizations supporting Iranian protesters and civil rights activists. Here are a few of our favorites:
The Center for Human Rights in Iran is a NYC-based organization of journalists and human rights activists focused on elevating and supporting those on the ground in Iran.
Amnesty International is also collecting donations, as is
The Abdurrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran.
Last but not least, keep us posted! We want to hear how you are taking action and how Gender Avenger and All In Together can support you.
#GenderAvenger #AITogether #WomenLeadingChange