Mahnaz Afkhami

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One Year After Neda, 9500 Liberty, True Colors

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

New America Media / By Sandip Roy A year after the controversial elections in Iran, what is the status of the opposition movement? Mahnaz Afkahmi speaks of the women who were at the forefront of protests, and of the regime's attempt to behead the democratic movement. Indeed almost all activists from the June 2009 protests have been imprisoned, harassed, or tortured. Those who were released from prison and allowed to travel were then often tried in absentia and heavily sentenced, effectively condemning them to exile.

Iran, Iran Women's Movement

Women and the Future of the Middle East

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

International Museum of Women / By Clare Winterton / Listen Mahnaz Afkhami spoke with I.M.O.W. Executive Director Clare Winterton as part of the Extraordinary Voices, Extraordinary Change Speaker Series. Together they covered a variety of subjects, including the WLP partnership goal of changing the architecture of human relations, and Mahnaz's hand in helping to create a new generation of powerful women in the Muslim World.

Human Rights, Leadership, Muslim Women

Democracy Courage Tribute Acceptance Speech on Behalf of the Iranian Women’s Movement

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Persian text Whether in exile in refugee camps, in prisons inside Iran, or working late into the night sending their messages around the country and across the world, women in Iran have not yielded to oppression. Their mobile phones, web sites and blogs carry their words across the nation and throughout the world. Their voice resonates with others who rise up in their support. They are at the forefront of the green movement for change. They know they can change their country and they say “Yes, we will.”

Iran Women's Movement

Leading to Action:

Saturday, April 10, 2010

A Political Participation Handbook for Women 2010 / Women's Learning Partnership / Bethesda, MD Mahnaz Afkhami & Ann Eisenberg In consultation with: Lina Abou Habib, Asma Khader, Sindi Medar-Gould, and Jacqueline Pitanguy Women’s participation is a critical step towards reshaping economic, political, and social conditions to allow for equality in opportunities and results for both women and men. The Leading to Action handbook was designed empower women to become democratic and participatory leaders. Whether the goal is to be elected to office, support a campaign, encourage women to vote, or secure better legislation for the community, this handbook helps women hone their skills to take the next political step. Scenarios are based on criteria set by WLP partners and give real life examples of successes and challenges women face in the political sphere. The appendices include a glossary of terms, extra sessions, and relevant United Nations conventions that support women’s civil and political rights.

Political Participation

CNN’s Amanpour: Panel Discussion with Activists on Women’s Rights in the Middle East

Monday, March 8, 2010

CNN / By Christiane Amanpour / Part 2; Part 3 Women's rights have advanced in many Muslim countries, but women still suffer from more inequality than anywhere else. Joining Christiane Amanpour are three women who've made it their mission to promote gender equality: the president and CEO of the Women's Learning Partnership, Mahnaz Afkhami, she's a former minister for women's affairs in Iran; Asma Khader, who is secretary general of the Jordanian National Commission for Women and a former culture minister; and Lina Abou Habib, executive director of a Lebanese organization that tries to empower women.

Human Rights, Muslim Women

The Cup’s Half Full for Middle Eastern Feminists

Monday, November 9, 2009

Ms. Magazine / By Carole Joffe Despite shortcomings in its enforcement, CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women)—the United Nations’ international women's rights treaty—has brought progress to women in the Middle East, according to women leaders from the region at a recent panel celebrating of its 30th anniversary.

Human Rights, Muslim Women, One Million Signatures

Mahnaz Afkhami: A Memoir: Book Review

Wed, Jun 16, 2010

Mahnaz Afkhami’s memoir, which appears as a series of interviews by Shahla Haeri and Fereshte Noorai and is edited by her husband, is a moving narrative in Persian that competes with some classics of Middle East women’s studies such as Huda Shaaravi’s Harem Years. Afkhami was head of the Women’s Organization of Iran (WOI) and the first Minister of Women’s Affairs under Pahlavi regime. While in exile in the United States after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Afkhami became one of the founding members of the Sisterhood is Global Institute.

Women in the Middle East

Tue, May 18, 2010

NPR KQED Radio / By Michael Krasny / Listen
In her new book, “Paradise Beneath Her Feet,” Isobel Coleman profiles women she calls quiet revolutionaries who are working for social justice in the Middle East. We’ll also check in with Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an outspoken critic of Islamic fundamentalism, and Mahnaz Afkhami. In the interview, Afkhami takes issue with Muslim ‘exceptionalism’ and emphasizes the importance of mutual empowerment, learning and solidarity between women’s rights advocates.

Muslim Women

Essentials of Political Participation

Sat, May 1, 2010

Leading to Action: A Political Participation Handbook for Women What is political participation? What is politics? Why are politics and participation important to women? Why have women everywhere, especially in developing countries, been denied equal opportunity in politics, as in almost all other fields, even when they have not been denied equal rights? What rewards are there for women if they become politically effective? How can women become politically effective?