On March 31, 2023, Dr. Nahid Jafari, a professor at the State University of New York - Farmingdale, organized a landmark conference titled Women, Life, Freedom: A Multinational Perspective of the Oppressed in Iran. The event aimed to promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, focusing on the struggles of various nationalities, religions, and genders in Iran.
The conference comes at a pivotal moment in Iranian history, especially in the wake of the nationwide uprisings triggered by the tragic death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini in September 2022. These protests, which resonated with the slogan Women, Life, Freedom, called for the dismantling of systemic oppression in Iran. However, as panelists noted, segments of the Iranian diaspora have often overlooked the intersectional nature of this revolution, which includes not only women but also ethnic and religious minorities fighting for justice and equality.
The conference brought together a distinguished panel of political and social activists, each representing an underrepresented group in Iran. These panelists, hailing from Europe and North America, shared their unique perspectives on the challenges faced by their communities under the Islamic regime:
- Aylin Fazelian (Sweden): A Member of the Swedish Parliament, Fazelian discussed the plight of marginalized communities in Iran and the international responsibility to amplify their voices.
- Vahid Qarabagli (Canada): A Turkish language activist, Qarabağlı emphasized the cultural suppression faced by South Azerbaijanis and the broader implications of language policies in Iran.
- Tara Azizi (United States): A Kurdish-origin human rights lawyer, Azizi highlighted the systemic discrimination against Kurdish communities and the resilience of Kurdish women in the revolution.
- Mona Silavi (Belgium): An Arab Ahwazi women's rights activist, Silavi shed light on the double burden of oppression experienced by Arab Ahwazi women under both patriarchal norms and state repression.
- Dr. Azim Shirani (England): The spokesperson for the Baluchistan Cooperation Council, Dr. Shirani detailed the struggles of Baluchis, including state violence, economic disenfranchisement, and cultural erasure.
- Nahid Farhad (United States): A human rights activist, Farhad spoke about the importance of solidarity across communities to combat the regime's divisive tactics.
- Mehdi Jalali Tehran (United States): A political activist, Tehran discussed the challenges of mobilizing the diaspora to support the ongoing revolution in Iran.
The conference underscored the need for solidarity among Iran’s diverse ethnic and religious groups and called for greater international awareness and advocacy. The voices at the event collectively echoed a powerful demand for an inclusive vision of freedom and justice in Iran—one that embraces the rights and dignity of all its people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or faith.
Dr. Jafari’s initiative was praised for bringing together such a diverse array of perspectives and fostering dialogue about the future of Iran. As the struggle for freedom continues, conferences like this remind the world of the importance of unity in the face of oppression.