Frances Townsend, Former Homeland Security Advisor to the United States President from 2004 to 2007, addressed at the IWD 2022. The conference hold in Berlin, Germany on the occasion of International Women’s Day, on March 5, 2022.
Dozens of women leaders, lawmakers, and women’s rights activists from around the world attended the conference in Berlin. Thousands also joined the conference online to express solidarity.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran(NCRI) is organizing this world conference. The majority of the NCRI leadership is women.
The keynote speaker at the conference is Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran(NCRI).
The following is an excerpt from Ms. Townzand’s speech at the conference:
The women of the world lead the resistance for freedom across the world, whether it’s in Kurdistan, Ukraine, or Iran. I am humbled by the courage of women in Iran who fight for choice, for freedom, whether it’s for speech or the overthrow of the misogynist regime of Iran.
I think about the risks the women of Iranian Resistance continue to take each day, taking part in farmers protests, and teachers protests across Iran. The ranks of women in the resistance are growing. More women are joining the fight.
They are encouraging everyone in Iran to do their part. The plight of women in Iran has motivated them to take part in the struggle. I continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in this fight.
It is not at all surprising that the sharp edge of the regime’s discriminatory policies is directed at women. We must acknowledge that the engagement of the US with Ebrahim Raisi, who is responsible for so many crimes against humanity, is offensive. We must not engage with him in nuclear talks. We can no longer sit idly by and see disturbing images of women abused, beat, and shot in Iran, and think that it is a separate issue.
We must ensure that women are treated equally in Iran. Mrs. Rajavi I continue to be humbled by your courage and strength and those of the women of the resistance. I wish you a happy International Women’s Day.
