The National Council of Resistance of Iran‘s position on gender equality is:
We believe in complete gender equality in political, social, and economic arenas. We also committed to equal participation of women in political leadership. Any form of discrimination against women will be abolished. They will enjoy the right to freely choose their clothing.
We are committed to the Universal Declaration of Humans Rights, and international covenants and conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention Against Torture, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
On 9 March 2013, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Maryam Rajavi laid down a ten-point manifesto for her vision of women’s rights in future Iran once the regime had fallen:
1. Women shall enjoy the equal right to have all the fundamental freedoms, including standing for elections, casting a vote, and becoming judges. Women, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or social class, shall enjoy equal rights as men.
2. To combat violence, rape, discrimination, and violation of their freedoms, women shall have access to credible judicial remedies.
3. Women are free to choose their clothing. The law on compulsory veiling shall be annulled.
4. Women shall enjoy the right to equal participation in the political leadership of society.
5. Women shall enjoy equal rights as men. With respect to inheritance, signing contracts, and managing assets, in the labor market, women shall have equal opportunities as men.
6. Women shall enjoy the free and equal right to choose their spouse, and freely decide to marry or divorce. They shall also enjoy the right to have custody of their children. Polygamy is prohibited.
7. All forms of violence against women, threatening actions, or forcibly depriving them of their freedoms are considered crimes.
8. The sex trade and all forms of sexual exploitation shall be prohibited.
9. The mullahs’ Sharia laws will have no place in the Iran of tomorrow. Disgraceful and barbaric laws like stoning shall be annulled.
10. Women must have access to social welfare programs, especially for retirement, unemployment, illness, and old age.
Recommended:
Rajavi, Maryam. Women a Force for Change. Paris, France: Iran Ketab, 2010. Print.
1. In our view, the ballot box is the only criterion for legitimacy. Accordingly, we seek a republic based on universal suffrage.
2. We want a pluralist system, freedom of parties, and assembly. We respect all individual freedoms. We underscore complete freedom of expression and of the media and unconditional access by all to the internet.
3. We support and are committed to the abolition of the death penalty.
4. We are committed to the separation of Religion and State. Any form of discrimination against the followers of any religion and denomination will be prohibited.
5. We believe in complete gender equality in political, social, and economic arenas. We are also committed to equal participation of women in political leadership. Any form of discrimination against women will be abolished. They will enjoy the right to freely choose their clothing. They are free in marriage, divorce, education, and employment.
6. We believe in the rule of law and justice. We want to set up a modern judicial system based on the principles of presumption of innocence, the right to defense, effective judicial protection, and the right to be tried in a public court. We also seek the total independence of judges. The mullahs’ Sharia law will be abolished.
7. We are committed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international covenants and conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women.
8. We recognize private property, private investment, and the market economy. All Iranian people must enjoy equal opportunity in employment and in business ventures. We will protect and revitalize the environment.
9. Our foreign policy will be based on peaceful coexistence, international and regional peace and cooperation, as well as respect for the United Nations Charter.
10. We want a non-nuclear Iran, free of weapons of mass destruction.
