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Manifest - August
31, 2025
Matriarchism is alive and kicking
For me feminism goes way back to my dear mother, Gianna
d´Artali, born in Italy, as I was, and expected to be a catholic
like the majority was/is. But... long story short, she was not
only a victim of extreme and so-called domestic violence, read
rape, physical and psychological violence, and social exclusion
because… she was unmarried and pregnant. Her boyfriend might
have liked her a lot but the fear of becoming a father won and
so he chose for a hobby: domestic violence. I hate those words.
Because back then and still now it is a an overall given carte
blanche by most societies to turn a blind eye i.e. based on ´Not
hearing, seeing, talking´. Anyways, the issue I want to discuss
here is not her/my story but the story of the never-ending
efforts of men in trying to control all and especially as they
see it ´the weakest link´ i.e. Women. Hence the so-called
patrarchic rule that overpowers all. But... its wishfull
thinking really because women in all have always played a
desisive if not ruling role in history and one only needs to go
back to the for example so-called indigenous traditions and
culture if not nature itself to know that giving life has and
always is the nurturing fundament and in this matriarchy has
always reigned.
But fact is that men and its politics throughout the ages has
and still tries to and with brutal and often killing (femicide)
force to overrule women.
Now of course that is a long story too and also here I want to
kind of take a short cut namely the position of women today in
most societies.
Now allow me to first of give you insight in where I´m standing
namely in the footsteps of my late mother who, during her time
of struggles, became a what was back then a suffragette, a
fighter for her and womens´ rights. But thats a story for itself
and you can find it in a nutshell worded in a poem below.
To here and now: back then, in February 2023, and me as
the founder of the outlet Cryfreedom.net in 2019, that started
as a monthly reporting of the crimes inflicted against women and
indept info about and basically centered around the
international womens day and onwards with day to day
reports in my opinion something had and has changed within
the ranks of the western women i.e. feminists because they
hardly stand on the barricades anymore and shame on them because
there´s still a lot to fight for and in this and to say the
least the number of femicides is on the rise, again, and yes, in
the west women are, be it slowly, waking up again from their
Cinderella sleep but... it are especially the muslimas who,
since the revolutionary start of the Zan, Zendegi, Azadi
movement and revolutions after the young Iranian teenager Jina
Amini then aged 22 was murdered on September 16 2022 over
apparently wearing her hijab wrongfully which set aflame a torch
that is carried by the women of the Arabic worlds who since then
are really fighting back to get everything feminism stands for
back and secured as the matriarchic fundament of life i.e.
Women, Life, Freedom. In this it is a true honour to refer to
the follow article …….
Dr. Al-Masdor
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - August 28, 2025 - By IBTISAM
AGHFIR
"Why women haven’t told history
Since the dawn of writing, history has been shaped by those with
literacy and power—most often men. Patriarchal systems across
civilizations granted men authority over leadership and
knowledge, leaving women pushed to the margins.
Benghazi – Despite their pivotal roles in revolutions, reforms,
and preserving oral traditions, women’s names were rarely
recorded—and when they were, it was usually in passing, confined
to the margins of manuscripts and documents. The dominance of
patriarchy sidelined women, barring them from shaping the
written memory of their societies. Dr. Amal Al-Masdour,
historian, PhD holder, and faculty member at the Department of
History, Faculty of Arts, University of Benghazi, stressed the
urgent need to recognize this exclusion and rewrite history to
restore balance. She explained: “From the outset, the history we
know today was written mostly by men. Social and political
structures placed men in positions of power, while women were
confined to domestic or marginal roles, preventing them from
entering scholarly institutions—including writing and
documentation. Naturally, history emerged from the perspective
of those who held the pen: men.”
Patriarchy excluded women from recording history
According to Dr. Al-Masdor, this erasure was not always a
deliberate conspiracy, but rather the cumulative result of a
patriarchal order that regarded knowledge and writing as
inherently male domains. Women were positioned as recipients
rather than producers of knowledge. This exclusion extended
beyond writing to education, property ownership, and political
participation. Yet women were never absent from public life.
They took part in uprisings, reforms, and the safeguarding of
cultural heritage, but their contributions went undocumented
because the tools of documentation were not in their hands. She
cited women who managed to leave their mark despite hostile
conditions. In the 19th century, Lebanese writer Zaynab Fawwaz
and Egyptian intellectual Aisha Taymour wrote extensively about
women’s issues and their societies. In Libya, Zaynab Al-Nafzawi
from the Nafusa Mountains established a boarding school for
girls, while other women safeguarded knowledge and cultural
traditions. These examples, preserved in manuscripts and
biographies, she argued, call for deeper research to uncover and
reassert their historical significance. Dr. Al-Masdor emphasized
that women’s absence from writing history distorted how they
appeared in historical narratives. “In traditional accounts,
women are depicted as secondary to men—defined through them,
rather than in their own right. This produced a stereotype of
women as emotional, irrational, or unfit for leadership—images
that reflect the biases of male historians, not reality.”
Women’s narratives illuminate history
She stressed that when women tell history, they illuminate
overlooked and marginalized perspectives, often focusing on
daily life and individual experiences—what scholars call
“history from below.” This approach does not rewrite history so
much as broaden it, restoring balance to the narrative and
offering a fuller picture beyond the male elite’s perspective.
Dr. Al-Masdor praised the growing role of female researchers and
academics who revisit sources with a critical lens, seeking out
silenced women’s voices and documenting unwritten female
experiences. She urged them to help develop curricula that
embrace diversity and gender equity, shaping a more just
understanding for future generations. Yet the challenges remain
daunting: weak institutional support, scarce funding, persistent
patriarchal attitudes in academia, and a lack of sources related
to women—all of which make documentation complex and difficult.
Despite this, she believes the determination of women
researchers to overcome these barriers is what inspires hope for
a fairer future.
Technology empowers women to reclaim history
She also highlighted the role of technology, describing it as a
window for women to create their own narratives through digital
platforms, blogs, podcasts, and documentaries. Unlike
traditional channels, these platforms provide women with the
freedom to tell their stories and reclaim their voices. As for
oral history, Dr. Al-Masdor noted that women have long been
central in preserving collective memory—through storytelling,
proverbs, songs, and accounts of daily life. Yet oral history is
still treated as “unofficial” and less valuable than written
records, a bias she described as another form of injustice that
must be corrected. Dr. Al-Masdor concluded: “We need to support
researchers—women and men—in unearthing women’s narratives,
whether in archives or through oral traditions. Educational and
media institutions must also play their part. Building
partnerships between universities and cultural centers could
help create a more inclusive Libyan history, one that
acknowledges the contributions of both men and women. But the
first step is to admit that Libyan history requires a critical,
objective re-reading—so it can be told as it should be, free
from bias and exclusion.”"} Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/why-women-haven-t-told-history-37445?page=1
Tunisian women react to gender remarks
Jinha - Womens News Center - Sept 19, 2025 - By NAZIHA BOUSSAID
{Tunisian women react to gender remarks: A consequence of
patriarchal mentality. In Tunisia, women are being targeted
based on their appearance and marital status, with
Parliamentarian Ahmed Saidani's sexist remarks against two women
drawing criticism. Women activists described these remarks as a
manifestation of a patriarchal mindset
Tunisia – Public discourse targeting women based on their
physical appearance, marital status, and lifestyle choices has
once again become a topic of debate in the Tunisian public.
Experts point out that such labeling deepens gender inequality.
Social pressures against women are not limited to their
appearance or marital status; their roles and behavior in public
life are also being questioned. Even women's driving skills are
criticized by some, and their driving skills are often belittled
by comparison with men.
Women are targets of discrediting campaigns
Women's presence in politics or civil society can sometimes lead
to their becoming targets. For example, public figures like Olfa
Hamdi can face intense criticism not only for their ideas but
also for their personal lives when they stray from traditional
norms. Similarly, many female civil society activists can be
targeted by discrediting campaigns for failing to conform to
social norms. A recent example of social oppression and bullying
against women occurred when a Spanish female activist, who set
out to raise awareness about the Gaza blockade as part of the
"Resistance Convoy," became the target of an intense online
bullying campaign due to her appearance and behavior. Some
users, citing her attire and images of her dancing on a boat,
questioned her commitment to the Palestinian cause. Comments
like, "Can this blonde wearing shorts and dancing on a yacht
lift the blockade in Gaza?" were made on digital media
platforms. Such statements once again illustrate how easily
women can be discredited based on both their appearance and
their actions. On the other hand, some users pointed out that
the activist in question spends a significant portion of her
time on Instagram raising awareness for the Palestinian cause,
expressing their view of her as a genuine activist and rejecting
the criticism.
Digital Bullying
Recently, the "Campaign Against the Criminalization of Civil
Society" issued a solidarity statement in support of the Women's
Voice Association, whose activities were suspended for a month.
The statement expressed dissatisfaction with the authorities'
interference in the association's activities. The campaign
argued that the decision was restrictive of civil society
activities, while some opposing groups claimed that the
association members were spending time on vacation and at the
beach. Such comments shared on digital media are being
considered a new wave of digital bullying against the
association's members. Recently, Tunisian women's rights
defenders and human rights activists strongly criticized
statements made on digital media by People's Representative
Ahmed Saidani. Ahmed Saidani's characterization of political
activist Olfa Hamdi as a "spinster" and his use of phrases about
fellow activist Meriem Bribri as "ugly and unable to find a
husband" resonated widely with the public. Women's rights
organizations and civil society representatives interpreted
these remarks as symbolic and verbal violence against women,
emphasizing that the statements clearly violated the principle
of gender equality. The reactions stated that such statements
were unbecoming of a member of parliament, who is expected to be
a role model for respect for rights and freedoms in society.
Officials also stated that the remarks contradicted the
provisions of the Tunisian Constitution and Law No. 58, enacted
in 2017, which stipulate the prevention of violence against
women.
"Language reflects patriarchal mentality"
Tunisian human rights defender Najat Zemmouri stated that MP
Ahmed Saidani's comments on digital media against political
activist Olfa Hamdi reveal a serious regression in women's
rights in the country. Najat Zemmouri stated, “Ahmed Saidani’s
words are directed not at Olfa Hamdi’s ideas or political
stance, but at her private life in a sarcastic and condescending
manner. This is unacceptable. The MP not only insulted Olfa
Hamdi; he also directed similar language at all women who dared
to criticize her. This language targeting unmarried women
reflects an old and patriarchal male mindset that we believe has
vanished. Ahmed Saidani’s responses to his critics reveal an
intolerant approach to disagreement, a patriarchal mindset, and
a lack of respect for the principle of pluralism. The message a
public representative who mocks female activists simply for
being unmarried is sending is very dangerous. This demonstrates
that political criticism is met not with dialogue, but with a
derogatory tone.”
‘There is no room for any racially discriminatory views’
Philosophy professor Habiba Kahouli emphasized the condemnation
of any rhetoric that condemns women in any way. Habiba Kahouli,
who said, "A woman is a woman, a teacher, a professor, a doctor,
a farmer," stated that discourses that condemn women based on
their appearance or other reasons are unacceptable and
incompatible with humanity. She stated that anyone who condemns
women in this way, whether in politics, human rights, education,
culture, or any other influential position, should be criticized
morally and socially. She stated that it is impossible to deny
the existence of a patriarchal mentality in Tunisia, but that
these classifications must be overcome. Habiba Kahouli added,
"We see everyone as human, regardless of their color or gender.
Humanity is what unites us. There is no place for any view that
discriminates between genders or races."} Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/tunisian-women-react-to-sexist-remarks-a-consequence-of-patriarchal-mentality-37535?page=
Rûken Nexede
Jinha - Womens News Center - Sept 10, 2025
{Rûken Nexede on ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’: Philosophy of freedom,
equality
Rûken Nexede of KJAR said the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ anniversary
highlights women’s resistance in Iran and how the philosophy
challenges repressive structures from family to society.
News Center - The anniversary of the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî”
(Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising is not merely a commemoration
of a slogan or symbol, but a moment to assess achievements,
analyze challenges, and understand the trajectory of social
change in recent years. “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” has transcended
its origins as a cry against repression to become a deeply
rooted philosophy in women’s struggle, reshaping society from
its foundations. Women’s resistance has moved beyond symbolism
to evolve into a liberation project that redefines freedom and
confronts patriarchy with a new intellectual and cultural
framework. It is a moment of evaluation, not remembrance; a
moment of construction, not mere protest.
Philosophy of freedom
Regarding the significance of the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” uprising
anniversary for Iranian society and the achievements so far,
Rûken Nexede, member of the Coordinating Council of the East
Kurdistan Free Woman Society (KJAR), said: “It is a historic
moment that charges us all with the responsibility to continue
the struggle. This philosophy represents a radical response to
domination and the destruction of humanity—a response that
keeps the cry of resistance alive from Gaza and Kurdistan to
Balochistan and Iran, against violations and killings.” She
added: “With the resilience and courage inherited from our
mothers, we will not allow domination to continue. This
philosophy is not merely a slogan, but an opportunity to live
freely. It is a shared philosophy understood by the people of
Iran in their own language, calling on humanity to resist
oppression and guiding generations toward building free-willed
individuals. Its roots extend to the Kurdish liberation
movement and Kurdish women’s struggle; history has proven that
women, with their love of life and freedom, shake the
foundations of the patriarchal system.” She emphasized: “The
philosophy of ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ heralds a different future
shaped by women through their resistance and efforts. The wars
and domination policies imposed by the Iranian regime in the
Middle East have repeatedly failed. The persistence of this
regime is not due to real strength, but rather the result of a
suppressed and oppressed society.” She affirmed: “Women have
endured years of repression and were unable to organize as a
broad collective movement, but in recent years, their
conscious and organized resistance has evolved into the
philosophy of ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’.”
From prisons to intellectual academies
Regarding the achievements of this philosophy, Rûken Nexede
explained: “In the heart of prisons, women like Shirin Alam
Holi, Zeynab Jalalian, Verisheh Moradi, Bakhshan Azizi, and
Sharifeh Mohammadi kept the flame of resistance alive. The
echo of this philosophy reverberated on the cold prison walls,
broke through to the outside, shattered the silence, and
called for solidarity. In those very prisons, the philosophy
of ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ became an academy of freedom, where the
thought and will of women inflicted major defeats on the
repressive structures of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” On the
global influence of the philosophy and its regional impact,
Nexede noted: “Today in Iran, the resistance of women and
men—especially women leaders—has become a living culture
sustained by this philosophy. It extends beyond the streets;
even inside prisons, it forms an unbreakable union with
far-reaching influence across the Middle East. In India and
Kurdistan, women and youth draw strength from it to confront
violence and oppression, while in northern and eastern Syria,
the women’s revolution has built a democratic society and
become an inspiring regional model.” She added: “Iranian women
are taking steady steps toward building a more progressive
society, having understood the meaning of freedom and
equality. This philosophy shows that oppression and
authoritarianism no longer succeed, and that the true path to
change passes through women’s resistance and the creation of a
free society.” On social transformation and the role of
women’s scouting, Rûken Nexede said: “The philosophy of ‘Jin,
Jiyan, Azadî’ has evolved from individual action to the very
structure of society. If the ruling system recognizes and
adapts to these developments, change becomes possible. At this
historic moment, scouts bear the responsibility to realize the
goals of this philosophy. True change emerges through the
daily struggle of youth and women and must manifest within
society. True freedom must be experienced on the ground; every
act of resistance is a response to injustice and a pledge for
a free Iran.” She emphasized that these changes are the result
of the suffering and efforts of women and men across Iran—from
Kurdistan and Balochistan to other regions—and the work of
organized civic groups that resisted the regime: “It is time
to expand the wall of resistance throughout Iran, where women
and youth, through purposeful campaigns and gatherings,
transform the core principles of the philosophy of ‘Jin,
Jiyan, Azadî’ into practical reality.”
Struggle against an oppressive regime
Rûken Nexede emphasized: “Iran needs a humane society capable
of withstanding pressure and preserving cultural resistance.
Despite an educated population ready for change, the
patriarchal system—rooted over thousands of years, structural
rather than hereditary—remains a serious threat. Women and men
must recognize this historic reality and resist it, as this
system was built on violence and domination, creating deep
divisions in society.” On rebuilding patriarchal mindsets, she
explained: “Men influenced by the prevailing mentality develop
controlling and possessive behaviors, seeing everything as
their own. But by reconstructing their personalities and
embracing free thought, the system of domination collapses,
allowing men to live in equality alongside women.” She
affirmed: “Today, women are building their own systems and
structures, striving for rights and a free life. If men also
choose the path of freedom, Iran and the world would be filled
with life and beauty. Women pursue justice and practice
tolerance, but their tolerance does not mean overlooking
crimes. Today, women have the opportunity to build a new
future free from violence and oppression.”} Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/ruken-nexede-on-jin-jiyan-azadi-philosophy-of-freedom-equality-37501
Lamia Senini (left)
Jinhagency - - Sept 7, 2025 - By ZOUHOUR MECHERGUI
{‘Silence fuels violence,’ Tunisian activists warn
Tunisian activists warn that violence breeds more violence, and
silence enables abusers. They stress that weakening civil
society advocacy and awareness efforts only worsens the problem,
leaving victims vulnerable and perpetrators unaccountable.
Tunisia – Despite the wealth of laws and regulations protecting
women in Tunisia—a product of decades of feminist struggle from
before independence to the present—the Tunisian experience shows
that legal measures alone are insufficient, especially compared
with other African and Middle Eastern countries. Effective
action requires not only legislation but also comprehensive
educational and awareness initiatives. These should begin with
the state, integrating concepts of equality and respect into
school curricula, and extend to civil society organizations,
which play key roles in education, guidance, advocacy, and
public awareness. Combating violence against women is a
long-term process that demands strategy, political will, and the
necessary moral, material, and logistical resources.
Breaking silence
Feminist activist Lamia Senini emphasizes that the fight against
violence must begin with women themselves, who experience abuse
in both private and public life. She highlights the importance
of peer awareness and dialogue among women as an effective means
to break the silence and alert others to the dangers. “Silence
is not passive complicity; it actively sustains violence by
granting implicit legitimacy to the abuser,” Lamia Senini said.
“Breaking this silence is a critical step toward resistance and
social change.” She points out that patriarchal societies often
dismiss women’s complaints, questioning their credibility, while
the perpetrators remain unchecked. “Violence has no moral or
legal justification,” she added, criticizing societal tendencies
to rationalize abuse, which have contributed to rising rates in
recent years. Lamia Senini calls for women to take the
initiative, using modern tools—especially social media—to raise
awareness and share critical information. She stresses that
silence is one of the key factors fueling violence and
underscores the need for women-led solidarity networks that
provide safety and mutual support.
Digital awareness, field activism
Senini notes that the younger generation of women bears a
special responsibility in spreading awareness, leveraging
digital tools like the internet to reach diverse audiences
effectively. She warns of “soft violence”—subtle, often hidden
forms of psychological harm disguised as harmless or
affectionate interactions, which can escalate into harassment,
manipulation, or exploitation. “Awareness and solidarity remain
the first line of defense,” she said. “Legal recourse is
essential—through courts and holding abusers accountable—to
break cycles of intimidation and prevent women from being forced
into silence. Silence and fear are among the most dangerous
enemies of life; they undermine dignity and mental well-being.”}
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/silence-fuels-violence-tunisian-activists-warn-37491
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee
NCRI - in Women's News - July 28, 2025 - By Political Prisoner
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee – Qarchak Prison, July 2025
{“How Fiercely We Cling to Life” – A Prison Letter from Golrokh
Ebrahimi Iraee on the Execution of Two Political Prisoners
On July 27, 2025, the Iranian regime executed two political
prisoners—Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani—in silence and
without due process, announcing their deaths through a news
ticker on state television. From inside the walls of Qarchak
Prison, political prisoner and writer Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee
penned this powerful and heartbreaking testimony. In it, she
captures the collective mourning, defiance, and enduring spirit
of resistance shared among incarcerated activists.
"How Fiercely We Cling to Life
"The news came.
From there.
From them.
Their clothes were spotless. Their brows uncreased.”
On the morning of July 27, 2025,
the regime’s execution of two political prisoners
was quietly scrolled across the ticker of the state news
channel.
In the quarantine ward of Qarchak Prison,
we stood beneath the flickering television screen,
lined up in silence.
No one could speak.
A heavy grief filled the air like smoke.
Eyes welled.
We stood frozen, stunned.
A few moments later, the names were added:
Mehdi Hassani. Behrouz Ehsani.
We had never seen their faces,
never heard their voices—
yet something in us had known them deeply.
It was as if pieces of our own flesh had been sent to the
gallows—and in truth, they had.
For months, their names echoed with ours—
in our chants, our songs,
our cries during the “Tuesdays Against Executions.”
We had shouted for them,
spoken of them in conversations through prison walls,
remembered them alongside other comrades trapped under death
sentences.
Now, they had been taken.
Executed.
And the absence of them
filled our chests with fury, with aching sorrow.
We whispered to ourselves:
“We know they stood firm. We know they endured…”
We were shaken by the cruelty—
though it was no stranger to us.
They Dragged Them in Chains
The agents of repression came for Behrouz and Mehdi
with fists, with shackles,
dragging them from their cells in chains.
They had already transferred Saeed Masouri—
our symbol of endurance,
a man who has spent 25 years in unbroken captivity—
to another prison,
and now they led Behrouz and Mehdi
to their execution.
How fiercely we cling to life…
By nightfall, we had wiped the dust of mourning from our faces,
swallowed the lump in our throats.
We even rose above the cruel sneers of a few hardened
cellmates—sneers that clawed at the soul.
Hand in hand,
we raised our voices.
We sang the anthem of resistance.
We honored the memory of those two
who walked the path of freedom to its final step.
They had lived, to the very end,
the truth in the words of Nazim Hikmet:
“I know they stared the enemy down with a smile.
No furrow touched their brows…”
Their memory is sacred.
Their path—paved in courage and sacrifice—will be followed.}
Source: https://wncri.org/2025/07/28/golrokh-ebrahimi-iraee-from-qarchak/
These stories now tells the history as is and how to defend
oneself and of women on the barricades for freedom.
And to close allow me to to speak in the name of my mother,
Gianna d´Artali:
“30 frames a second.
One man and his never-ending
nightmares.
In memory of Gianna d´Artali (1931 - 1997), my mother and
rolmodel
I want to die
to be re-united
with my mother
and continue our private war
against the male predators
who take females and children
as war trophees
but we will not bite the dust!
Even if we are
sweating bullets
and my mother also
and still covered with blood
after I patched her up
with bandages and plasters
and even when I didn't understand
why all this was happening.
You predadors beated up and raped my mother
blood on you face
big disgrace.
But my mother and I always
re-surrected
and gave each other strength
and we both always
longed for love,
she from a man,
I from a father
but never found it.
But... we had each other.
Have the predators won?
Hell no!!!"
Gino d´Artali
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