CRY FREEDOM.net
formerly known as
Women's Liberation Front
'Insight is the first step of resistance against any ideologic form of dictatorial and misogynistic oppression'

Manifest - Oct 26, 2025
Slaughterhouse Rape

Manifest - Start August 31, 2025
Matriarchism is alive and kicking
UPDATE with New Story: Sept 19, 2025:
Tunisian women react to gender remarks: A consequence of patriarchal mentality
Earlier stories embedded:
Sept 10, 2025: Rûken Nexede on ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’: Philosophy of freedom, equality
And “How Fiercely We Cling to Life” – A Prison Letter from Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee

Manifest - Axis of Evil - J´Accuse :-)
August 8 025

Tribute to KIAN PIRFALA, 9 years old and victim of the Islamic Republic's savagery 10 years ago

Editors' info: About a possible change of the name of the outlet:
and no, the URL www.cryfreedom.net will not change in this. Too much hassles and as such the outlet
is too well known to run that risk. Still, to enhance the content of it the
name online will be incl. a logo named
´Woman, Life, Freedom - MENA News Agency
covering the news from the Middle East and North Africa and covering all the Arabic muslim world.
Any feedback, negative or positive, on this is more than welcome at info@cryfreedom.net
Thank you for your time and input.

 HEAR JINA AMINI'S VOICE
And do read also the above linked  incredible December 2023 update!

despite the mullahs' regime to force it down!
Her mother speaks out loud and clear
UPDATED: September 29 - 16, 2024
Second Anniversary of Jina Amini's
state-sanctioned murder
incl. Commemorating Bloody Friday
a wave of arrests of her fellow-citizen

Overview of news about the Second aniversary of Jina Amini's state-sactioned murder September 2024


JINA AMINI
The face of Iran's protests. Her life, her dreams and her death.

Read also: Armita's Story: Iran's Generation Z Rebellion Against the Ayatollahs

Ongoing since Oct. 3, 2024:
Commemoration of the Fallen for
Freedom Part6
 Click here for previous Commemorations  
And more commemorational stories
Tortured to Death: The Story of Atefeh Na'ami
Violence During Woman, Life, Freedom Protests

HAIL TO THE IRANIAN WOMEN'S REVOLUTIONISTS FALLEN FOR FREDOM
against the supreme leader, the arch-reactionary Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, and his placeman president. The message of the women when the former president visited a university was plain: <give way or get lost> in 2023 and still is.
IN MEMORY OF ASRA PANAHI (16)- JINA MAMINI (22) - NIKA SHAKARAMI (16), SARINA ESMAILZADEH (16) HADIS NAJAFI (20), AND MORE WOMEN WHO WERE ASSASINATED SO FAR BY THE IRANIAN AXIS OF EVIL.
  Click here for a total list so far
Updates March 8, 2026

UPDATES OF THE UPRISING  AND REVOLUTION AROUND THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF JINA AMINI IN CUSTODY OF THE REGIME'S ATTEMPT AND CRUELTY TO TRY AND CRUSH IT.

This links to a page that is in full dedicated and a tribute to Jina Amini who, with stilll 'till today too many other sisters gave their life for freedom. Long live a long and free Iran And do read also the above linked  incredible December 2023 update! despite the mullahs' regime to force it down! Her mother speaks out loud and clear UPDATED: September 18, 2025 Full story of the Third anniversary of Jina Amini´s death September 29 - 16, 2024 Second Anniversary of Jina Amini's state-sanctioned murder incl. Commemorating Bloody Friday and earlier news about a wave of arrests of her fellow-citizen

We all grief for the loss of our sister / daughter of Iran Armita Gevarnand:   Read her updated story here   & Actual news:  Generation Z Leads Hijab Rebellion on Tehran’s Streets and Earlier Stories and more

Sisters 4 each other - Sisters 4 All
UPDATE
Feb 11 - 6, 2025
“Iran Will Not Return to the Throne”
& Women’s Revolution…
Freedom Embodied in Reality
Earlier reports
Dec 31 - 24, 2025
More than 400 Prominent Women
and UN Demand Halt to Execution
of Political Prisoner Zahra Tabari
& Maryam Akbari Monfared,
A Brave Woman Standing
Like a Mountain Against All Odds
Earlier reports

Sisters 4 each other, Sisters 4 All
Narges Mohammadi: "Tyranny will fall"
Pakhshan Azizi: "You dictator, I am Arash, fire responds to fire,"
Sharifeh Mohammadi: "Finally, one day, I will sing the song of victory from the summit of the mountain, like the sun. Tomorrow belongs to us"
Varisha Moradi: "Resistance is life"
 in continuation of the resistance of the 4 sisters and others
read all their previous fights

 When one hurts or kills a women
one hurts or kills hummanity and is an antrocitie.
 and: My mother (1931-1997) always said to me <Mi figlio, non esistono notizie <vecchie> perche puoi imparare qualcosa da qualsiasi notizia.> Translated: <My son, there is no such thing as so called 'old' news because you can learn something from any news.>
Gianna d'Artali.

Symbol of resistance of Iranian women
Narges Mohammadi - Jina Amini : "With war there cannot be democracy"

Jina Amini Leads

We Are The People and at full war with 2 regimes but...
we'll continue our way and any way we'll pave


March  8, 2026
Long live women’s resistance and struggle
Long live women’s freedom
Happy March 8

Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 8, 2026
{Women’s Protection Units Congratulate Women Worldwide on International Women’s Day
YPJ General Command: Women’s Freedom Is the Foundation of Society and Calls for Uniting Women’s Struggle in the Face of Challenges
News Center – The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) congratulated women around the world on International Women’s Day, observed on March 8, emphasizing that this day has gained its profound significance through the historic resistance and sacrifices made by women throughout the ages. In a statement, the units said that March 8 has become a day when women’s voices calling for freedom resonate across the world. It noted that the day carries a long history of women’s struggle, not only that of the workers in New York, but also the legacy of women who struggled throughout history on the slopes of the Zagros and Taurus mountains and across the land of Mesopotamia. The statement added that women’s struggle against the patriarchal system has continued throughout different eras as a battle for existence and human dignity, stressing that women today continue their struggle for the freedom and dignity of society.
The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units affirmed in its statement that “there is no life without women’s freedom,” noting that the thought and philosophy of Abdullah Öcalan restored meaning to women’s lives, and that the philosophy of “Woman, Life, Freedom” has become the foundation for building a new life. The units explained that thousands of women fighters in the Rojava Revolution continue their struggle today in the trenches of resistance with faith in Öcalan’s ideas, emphasizing that the life the patriarchal mentality once attempted to erase is now being rebuilt by women. The statement also noted that despite the harsh conditions of isolation imposed on Öcalan, he has not abandoned women, considering his freedom a guarantee for the freedom of women and society. It further indicated that the regions of North and East Syria have faced attacks from various forces over the past years, including the terrorist organization Islamic State, which attempted to threaten the revolution and deny its achievements, but women’s resistance prevented that from happening. The Women’s Protection Units affirmed that they have placed their existence and their lives on the frontlines to defend society and protect social values, stressing the continuation of the struggle regardless of the sacrifices. The units also commemorated women martyrs who lost their lives in the cause of freedom, including Deniz, Sidar, Shilan, Siyajin, Arîn, and Jiyajin, emphasizing that their sacrifices planted the seeds of freedom in the land. In conclusion, the General Command of the Women’s Protection Units called on all women of the world—young women, mothers, workers, artists, and activists—to unite their voices and strengthen the joint struggle to expand the space of freedom, stressing that the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom” represents the key to the liberation of society as a whole.
Long live women’s resistance and struggle
Long live women’s freedom
Happy March 8
General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ)
For the Sake of Freedom… We Remain Determined and Resolute} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/women-s-protection-units-congratulate-women-worldwide-on-international-women-s-day-38726


KJK
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 8, 2026
{On March 8, KJK Calls for a Global Women’s Alliance to confront the patriarchal System
On International Women’s Day, the Kurdistan Women’s Community urged democratic women’s alliances and global struggle against patriarchy, stressing ongoing violence and the need for alternative models ensuring equality.
News Center — March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a global occasion when people around the world celebrate women’s struggles for freedom, equality, and justice, while highlighting the challenges they continue to face in different societies. The day also comes at a time of escalating global crises that increase women’s suffering and underscore the importance of cross-border feminist solidarity. The Kurdistan Women’s Community (KJK) said in a statement issued on Sunday, March 8, that global crises, wars, and the rise of authoritarian tendencies have deeply affected women’s lives, stressing that the patriarchal capitalist system is built on the exploitation and subjugation of women. The statement read: “As the Kurdistan Women’s Community, we extend our congratulations to all women of the world on International Women’s Day — a day that embodies women’s unity and their shared struggle for rights, freedom, and justice. We especially salute Kurdish women and all those who continue their struggle despite harsh conditions. We also commemorate with reverence the sacrifices of the women martyrs who gave their lives for freedom, and we honor the determination of women who, despite repression, violence, and massacres everywhere, have transformed spaces—from prisons to mountains, from streets to workplaces, fields, and homes—into arenas of resistance and the making of freedom.” The statement noted that for more than forty years, the Kurdish women’s freedom movement has carried out a broad struggle to consolidate the idea of women’s liberation, strengthen women’s awareness and capacity for self-defense, ensure their free and equal participation in political and social life, and confront all forms of gender discrimination. It added that the movement has consistently shared its experiences and achievements with women around the world, believing that liberation can only be achieved through broad global solidarity. According to the statement, the movement continues today with determination and enthusiasm within the global women’s liberation movement, striving to make the 21st century the era of a major feminist revolution and comprehensive women’s liberation.
Collapse of the Global System
The statement added that the world is entering 2026 amid rapid developments and a clear transition toward a fragmented multipolar international system following the collapse of the previous global order. It noted that populist leaders increasingly prioritize authoritarian interests over universal values, while hostile competition and power politics make the world less livable. The statement argued that capitalism, patriarchy, and authoritarianism are intensifying crises and pushing the international system based on rights and rules toward the brink of collapse. It also referenced analyses suggesting that the practices of some leaders—including former U.S. President Donald Trump according to some observers—have contributed to deepening the crisis of the nation-state. It raised a central question for women: how should this stage be understood and what stance should be taken toward it? The statement said it has become clear that the international system does not provide the protection it claims, but rather forms part of the crises affecting women. With the decline of the nation-state model, the structural crises it produced are increasingly exposed.
Time to Abandon Misconceptions
The statement pointed out that despite years of warnings from the planet, environmental destruction, genocide, and forced displacement continue in pursuit of greater wealth. It criticized governments for failing to impose sufficient restrictions on corporations or conclude necessary agreements to prevent environmental collapse. It also argued that poverty, inequality, repression, authoritarianism, ecological crises, biodiversity loss, and the uncontrolled use of technology are all consequences of the capitalist system’s struggle to expand its spheres of influence. According to the statement, it is time to abandon the illusion that states serve the interests of peoples, asserting that the nation-state is a fundamental pillar of the capitalist system. “The Real Perpetrator Is the System Itself” The statement said patriarchal domination—characterized by authoritarianism, class divisions, militarism, and religious fundamentalism—has oppressed women for thousands of years. It added that recent scandals such as the Jeffrey Epstein case illustrate the involvement of powerful networks of money and authority in systematic abuses against women. According to the statement, such cases are not isolated incidents but reflections of a patriarchal capitalist structure that reproduces violence. It argued that society is living in a decisive moment between freedom and barbarism, emphasizing that women’s freedom is not merely a theoretical demand but the foundation of all social freedoms.
“We Must Strengthen Our Own Struggle”
The Kurdistan Women’s Community stressed that women’s liberation requires a deep and radical struggle, urging women to break away from the mentality, culture, and tools of domination associated with existing power structures. It called for developing an alternative model and building new institutions and cultures that protect women, society, nature, and life itself. The statement described the women’s movement as the longest and most widespread social movement in the world, capable of offering solutions to issues related to rights, the environment, childhood, health, and education. The statement concluded by stressing that the rise in violence against women is closely linked to the global crisis and the patriarchal structure of capitalism. It called for linking different forms of violence—from mass rape in parts of Asia to sexual violence in the United States, femicides in Latin America, and kidnappings of women and girls in Africa and the Middle East—arguing that these phenomena are part of a global attempt to suppress the growing women’s movement. The Kurdistan Women’s Community concluded that the patriarchal system has never faced a challenge of this magnitude before, and that conditions today may present a historic opportunity to achieve women’s freedom and launch a new feminist revolution—while also carrying significant risks.} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/shocking-figures-reveal-the-tragedy-of-palestinian-women-on-international-women-s-day-38733?page=1


the Tragedy of Palestinian Women
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 8, 2026
{Shocking Figures Reveal the Tragedy of Palestinian Women on International Women’s Day
Women in Gaza embody resilience amid destruction and deprivation; their presence in suffering and resistance makes March 8 a testament to the strength and unbreakable will of Palestinian women
News Center_ The Palestinian Ministry of women’s Affairs affirmed that women’s rights represent a matter of justice, freedom, and dignity, stressing the needs to continue efforts to protect and empower women and ensure their right to a safe and dignified life away from the horrors of war. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the ministry issued a statement in Gaza on Sunday, March 8, stating that Palestinian women—particularly in the Gaza Strip—are marking the day amid one of the harshest humanitarian tragedies in modern history due to the ongoing war since October 7, 2023. According to the statement, the number of women who have lost their lives has exceeded 12,500, including 9,000 mothers, while children, women, and the elderly make up more than 55% of the total victims. More than 12,000 miscarriages have also been recorded due to severe malnutrition and the collapse of the healthcare system. The ministry noted that the killing of husbands and the arrest of thousands have forced tens of thousands of women to take on the responsibility of supporting their families. Currently, 21,193 widows are providing for themselves and their children amid a comprehensive economic collapse. The statement added that more than 350,000 families require shelter, increasing the burden on women who serve as heads of households. In addition, more than half a million women and nearly one million children have been displaced under extremely harsh humanitarian conditions. The ministry stressed that these figures reflect the scale of the direct targeting of Palestinian women during the war. Women have become victims, widows, grieving mothers, and primary providers facing unprecedented circumstances amid what the statement described as genocide and the widespread destruction of social and economic structures. In its conclusion, the ministry emphasized that the rights of Palestinian women are both a national and humanitarian issue, and that there is a moral and legal obligation to continue protecting Palestinian women, empowering them, and guaranteeing their right to a safe and dignified life away from war.} Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/shocking-figures-reveal-the-tragedy-of-palestinian-women-on-international-women-s-day-38732?page=1


Fatima Hassouna and Mariam Abu Daqqa
Al Jazeera - March 8, 2026 By Huda Skaik Palestinian writer based in Gaza city.
{Honouring Gaza’s women who refused to let the world look away
Women journalists in Gaza have paid a heavy price for refusing to stay silent and continuing to expose Israel’s crimes. As the world marks International Women’s Day, the airwaves of global media are filled with symbolic gestures and pompous rhetoric about women’s rights. Statistics are touted, initiatives are celebrated and hashtags are boosted. Meanwhile, the true oppressors of women are whitewashed, their crimes are covered up and those who resist them are smeared. But here in Gaza, we know who our oppressor is and who our heroes are. The Israeli occupation has murdered tens of thousands of Palestinian women and girls in the past two and a half years. It has devastated the lives of a million of them. Against the onslaught of the Israeli genocide, the women of Gaza have stood up and resisted, each in their own way. Women journalists, in particular, have shown true heroism. They have taken on the dangerous task of reporting on a genocidal war, of bearing witness and documenting atrocities. Their cameras, notebooks and phones have become tools not only of storytelling but also of survival and memory. For daring to challenge the occupation, Gaza’s women journalists have paid a heavy price. More than 20 of the 270 journalists and media workers murdered by Israel were women. Among them is Mariam Abu Daqqa, who was targeted by the Israeli army along with other journalists at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip in August. She worked as a field correspondent for years, documenting the suffering of Palestinians under siege and then reporting on the realities of the genocidal war. Mariam was not just a courageous journalist but also a loving daughter and mother. When she was younger, she donated one of her kidneys to her father, who was struggling with kidney disease. She was fully dedicated to her son, Ghaith. During the war, she made the painful decision to send him abroad so he would be safe. Before her death, she wrote a heartbreaking message to her son: “Gaith, the heart and soul of your mother, I want you to pray for me, don’t cry over my death.” Four months before Mariam was murdered, the Israeli occupation assassinated another brilliant photojournalist: Fatima Hassouna. “If I die, I want a resounding death. I do not want to be just breaking news or a number among many. I want a death the world hears about, an impact that lasts through time, and images that time and place cannot bury,” Fatima wrote on social media before her death. As a talented young photojournalist, she had a bright future to look forward to. She was also months away from getting married. The Israeli army bombed her home in northern Gaza, killing her and six members of her family, just a day after it was announced that a documentary film about her would be featured at an independent film festival in Cannes. Fatima left us suddenly and far too soon. Yet her departure was not quiet. It was loud, just as she had wished. The screening of the documentary about her received a standing ovation at the festival along with chants of “Free, free Palestine!” The mass targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists has been devastating to those who have survived. It has left deep psychological scars. Women journalists speak quietly among themselves of fear, pain and exhaustion. They know that death can strike at any moment from the sky, and yet they persist. They continue reporting on a war they cannot escape. They continue reporting on a genocide they themselves are experiencing. They detail starvation while they are searching for food for their families. They record displacements while fleeing their homes with their children. They write about bombardments moments after surviving a bombing. They interview mourners while they themselves are grieving the loss of loved ones. They work under conditions that can make journalism impossible elsewhere. They operate in a place with no electricity, almost no internet connection and no safe passage for those wearing the PRESS vest. Yet even amid these obstacles, Gaza’s women journalists continue to write, record, document and broadcast to millions of people across the globe. Their reporting has shaped the world’s understanding of what life during a genocide looks like. As a young journalist in Gaza, I see these women as my heroes. They are a constant source of inspiration for me. Their strength and commitment to reporting even while facing danger, displacement and personal loss show me what it truly means to be a journalist. I myself turned to journalism in June 2024.  For months after the war started, I watched the world around me collapse without knowing how to respond. I reached a point at which the genocide took so much from me that it had become unbearable. Writing gave me a sense of purpose. It became an outlet for my emotions and a way to process the fear, grief and disorientation of living a genocide. Documenting what was happening in Gaza felt like one of the few things that was still within my power. I now feel a simple but urgent responsibility: If I do not tell these stories, who will? Archiving our reality has become a form of resistance. Every image and every testimony is proof that Palestinians exist, that this is our land, that our communities matter and that the world cannot claim it does not know.
Journalism, for me, is not only about informing audiences. It is about preserving memory in a place whose history the powers that be are actively trying to erase.
I know the risks.
I also know that the world may not always listen.
But I am determined to keep going anyway.
It is how I honour the women journalists of Gaza who gave their lives while reporting the truth and refusing to let the world look away.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.}: Video - Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/3/8/honouring-gazas-women-who-refused-to-let-the-world-look-away


Roken Naghdeh
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 8, 2026
{“Women Should Not Be a Party to War but a Driving Force for a Democratic Society”
Roken Naghdeh of the Free Women’s Community of Eastern Kurdistan (KJAR) urged women to organize, strengthen self-power, confront war’s impacts, and build democratic society.
News Center — Amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the expansion of Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran—along with the risks they pose to regional stability—the debate has resurfaced about the role women can play in confronting the impacts and consequences of war. In light of the current situation in the Kurdistan Region and the escalating confrontation involving the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, Naghdeh said that the wars raging in the region are essentially conflicts of interest between dominant powers seeking to expand their influence. She stressed that peoples—especially women—bear the greatest cost through destruction, displacement, and the collapse of social structures. She noted that women always find themselves at the heart of war’s consequences despite not being parties to these conflicts, which makes women’s self-organization an urgent necessity at this stage. Naghdeh explained that the philosophy of “Jin Jiyan Azadî” offers a practical framework through which women can build a social force capable of confronting the effects and challenges of war. She called on women to take the initiative and play an active role in shaping a democratic future centered on life and justice. “The role of women should not be limited to resisting the consequences of war; it must extend to leading the process of transformation toward a more free and equal society,” she said.
War of Interests
Naghdeh stated that the core of the ongoing conflict lies in a direct confrontation between competing powers, whose repercussions extend across the Middle East, increasing the region’s fragility and deepening its crises. She described the situation as a war of interests involving the United States, Israel, and other regional actors seeking to protect economic interests and consolidate political and military dominance, while ordinary people—particularly women—suffer the consequences.
Iranian System and the Attacks
Naghdeh said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has ruled the country for about 47 years, during which it has exercised heavy pressure and violence both within Iran and in Kurdistan and Iraq. She stressed that although they oppose the Iranian regime, they do not justify attacks by the United States and Israel either. From a feminist perspective, she said the longstanding tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States are rooted in a struggle for regional dominance, with each power attempting to impose leadership and control over the Middle East through systematic policies of violence, war, and occupation.
“This War Is Not for Women”
Naghdeh emphasized that power structures are dominated by men. “This war is not a war for women or for society. It is a war of interests whose victims are women, children, and communities,” she said. She pointed out that women have no say in these conflicts and have been stripped of the ability to protect themselves. She also criticized Iranian laws—often justified through religious or sectarian frameworks—as increasing pressure on women, particularly through family and marriage regulations. Despite years of repression, violence, and discrimination, she noted that women continue their struggle and refuse to surrender. Naghdeh also mentioned that KJAR issued a statement on International Women’s Day proposing ways for women in Iran to organize themselves under current conditions and emphasizing the importance of viewing March 8 as a day of struggle to strengthen women’s organizations against the mentality of war.
Time to Show Determination
She warned that the Middle East, particularly Iran, faces the risk of large-scale war and destruction. According to her, women can provide an alternative path based on the philosophy of Jin Jiyan Azadî. Naghdeh added that KJAR has developed alternative democratic programs for Iran in areas such as education, healthcare, and women’s protection. She stressed that one of the biggest problems facing women in Iran is the lack of political identity, highlighting the importance of women reaching decision-making positions and gaining a stronger presence in political life. Finally, she affirmed that the organization seeks a democratic Iran that includes all peoples and identities, calling on women of different backgrounds—Kurds, Baloch, Azeris, Arabs, and others—to unite their efforts. “Women from different ethnic groups can unite to build a shared political will and a democratic future. Today is the time to show strength and determination,” she concluded.} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/women-should-not-be-a-party-to-war-but-a-driving-force-for-a-democratic-society-38731


Afghan woman painter - Photo: Zan Times/Rad Radan
Zan Times - March 8, 2026 by Dr. Amna Mehmood
{March 8, 2026: Afghan women’s agency and the test of international law
International Women’s Day is often framed as celebration. In reality, March 8 is a reminder that rights are never permanently secured. They are defended across generations, and they can be dismantled decree by decree. In 2026, no country illustrates this more starkly than Afghanistan. Afghanistan remains the only state in the world where girls are formally banned from secondary education nationwide and women are systematically excluded from universities, most public employment, and civic life by state decree. This is not gradual regression. It is structured erasure. Since August 2021, Afghan authorities have constructed a system in which gender determines access to education, work, mobility, and voice. Secondary schools remain closed to girls. Universities are barred to women. Women have been removed from most public-sector positions. Women-led civil society organizations have been curtailed. UNESCO confirms that Afghanistan stands alone globally in enforcing a nationwide ban on girls’ secondary education. UNDP continues to document the collapse of female labor participation alongside severe economic contraction and rising household vulnerability. Taken together, these measures do more than restrict opportunity. They reorganize society around exclusion. They redefine citizenship itself. It is for this reason that the term “gender apartheid” has moved from advocacy language into structured legal analysis. In 2023, the People’s Tribunal on Gender Apartheid convened in The Hague to examine Afghanistan’s policies. Dr. Rashida Manjoo, former UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, served as Chief Judge and delivered the Tribunal’s verdict in December 2025. The Tribunal determined that the Taliban’s treatment of women constitutes systematic, intentional, and state-imposed gender-based persecution amounting to crimes against humanity. It further found that the situation meets the structural characteristics of an apartheid-like regime marked by institutionalised segregation and domination, while acknowledging that “gender apartheid” is not yet codified as a distinct crime under existing international law. For that reason, it cannot currently be prosecuted under that label without legal development. The Tribunal, therefore called for international law to be clarified or amended to explicitly recognize gender apartheid and urged the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, States, and civil society to act decisively. Crucially, it emphasized that Afghan women must be recognized not merely as victims, but as rights-holders and leaders in accountability processes. The legal foundation already exists in part. Article 7 of the Rome Statute defines persecution on gender grounds, when widespread or systematic, as a crime against humanity and describes apartheid as institutionalised domination maintained over a group. Afghanistan is a State Party to the Rome Statute. The framework is there. The evidence of systematic deprivation is visible. The question is whether interpretation will rise to meet reality. March 8 is also a reminder that Afghan women have long carried the torch of reform and rights from within their own society and have passed it forward across generations. Queen Soraya Tarzi championed girls’ education in the 1920s, insisting that national progress required women’s literacy and participation. Decades later, Dr. Anahita Ratebzad, one of Afghanistan’s first female physicians and a leading women’s rights reformist and activist, publicly argued that women’s equal access to education, employment, and health services was essential to national development. In a 1978 article in the New Kabul Times, she wrote that such rights were not privileges but necessities for building a healthy and modern society, a reminder that demands for equality were articulated by Afghan women long before contemporary debates. After 2001, Dr. Sima Samar worked to embed women’s rights within national institutions and accountability frameworks. That torch did not extinguish in 2021. It shifted hands. Following the recent decrees, activists such as Tamana Zaryab Paryani protested publicly against the bans despite detention and intimidation. Beyond the visible names, countless women inside Afghanistan and across the diaspora have chosen not to retreat into silence. Teachers holding underground classes, students continuing their studies in secrecy, lawyers documenting abuses, scientists and writers speaking from exile, many could choose safety, privacy, or distance. Instead, they use whatever platform or privilege they possess to insist that exclusion will not define their future. The struggle has never belonged to one generation alone. It advances each time a woman decides that silence is not an option. The struggle for women’s rights in Afghanistan has never been imported. It has been led, articulated, and defended by Afghan women themselves. The present system of exclusion is not tradition; it is a rupture from a century of reform driven from within. Education bans dismantle generational knowledge continuity. University prohibitions remove women from scientific and professional life. Employment exclusion weakens economic resilience and entrenches dependency. When half the population is systematically erased from public life, governance itself is transformed. Institutions narrow. Pluralism contracts.
International Women’s Day in 2026 is therefore not only commemorative. It is diagnostic.
When exclusion becomes law and domination becomes policy, international law is tested. The question is not whether Afghan women will continue to resist, they have done so for generations. The question is whether the global legal order will recognize the structure of their exclusion with the clarity it demands. When the exclusion of women becomes state policy, it does not only violate rights; it unravels the legal order, weakens national institutions, and fractures the continuity of knowledge itself.} Source: https://zantimes.com/2026/03/08/march-8-2026-afghan-womens-agency-and-the-test-of-international-law/


Sudanese Women’s Union
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 8, 2026
{Sudanese Women’s Union: March 8 is a Platform to Expose the Roots of the National Crisis
The Sudanese Women’s Union said using International Women’s Day to highlight Sudanese women’s issues globally is not adopting an imported symbol but reviving a historic struggle tool.
Sudan — On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Sudanese Women’s Union affirmed that targeting women during wars reveals the depth of the national crisis and threatens the social and economic fabric of Sudanese society. In a statement issued on Sunday, March 8, the Union’s media office said that targeting women in wars effectively means targeting the very reproduction of social life, as women form the backbone of the continuity of society both economically and socially. The statement added that the issue of women in Sudan is not merely a limited rights issue, but rather a direct reflection of the broader national crisis, including the crisis of the state, the economic crisis, and the crisis of violent authority based on looting and militarization. It stressed that turning International Women’s Day into a platform to present the issues of Sudanese women globally is not the adoption of an imported symbol, but a renewed use of a historical tool of struggle that emerged in the context of resisting exploitation, noting that the essence of the matter lies in the political content of the occasion rather than its symbolic form. The Union also called for avoiding the reduction of women to a subject of symbolic celebration, emphasizing that March 8 should instead serve as an opportunity to expose the structure of social and economic violence. It stressed that a systematic analysis leads to a fundamental truth: women cannot be liberated in isolation from the liberation of society, nor can a just nation be built while women—who represent a vital pillar of its continuity—are being targeted. The statement further called for International Women’s Day to become an occasion to measure the justice of society as a whole, stressing that placing the issue of Sudanese women at the heart of this day is not a sectional demand but a national act that redirects attention to the core of the crisis in a state that produces war. Finally, it emphasized the importance of protecting Sudanese women and holding those responsible accountable for crimes committed during the war.} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/sudanese-women-s-union-march-8-is-a-platform-to-expose-the-roots-of-the-national-crisis-38729?page=1


Women’s Voices -poetry Evening
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 8, 2026 Rajaa Kherat
{Women’s Voices -poetry Evening Celebrating Women on their Global Day
On the eve of International Women’s Day, the House of Poetry in Marrakech organized a cultural and artistic event featuring female poets and artists who expressed their support for women’s causes on their special day.
Morocco — As part of the “Women’s Voices” segment, the House of Poetry in Marrakech organized a poetry evening on Saturday, March 7, celebrating women on their International Day, which falls on Sunday, March 8. During the event, a group of female poets from different regions of Morocco recited poems addressing current humanitarian and social issues. Organizers highlighted that the House of Poetry in Marrakech has consistently showcased female poetic voices throughout its programs year-round. However, this evening held special significance as it coincided with International Women’s Day, emphasizing the prominent presence of women’s poetic voices in the Moroccan cultural scene. Participating poets delivered verses that moved from reality to imagination, employing metaphors and vivid imagery to reflect a mature poetic awareness and a desire for liberation and linguistic freedom from societal constraints. Since poetry represents a human journey, allowing the poet to explore imaginative realms using all linguistic tools to transcend conventional forms, the attending poets excelled in creating moments that served as a passage for the audience to another life, enriching their experience through art. Moroccan poet Batoul Mahjoubi, who traveled from Oujda in eastern Morocco, expressed her delight in participating in the poetry evening organized by the House of Poetry in Marrakech. She said: “I came to renew my connection with Marrakech and to participate in this beautiful women’s poetry evening in celebration of International Women’s Day and poetry itself, alongside a selection of female poetic voices from across Morocco.” Regarding women’s presence in her poetry, she stated that as a woman, female experiences strongly influence her work, especially the presence of her mother, which appears prominently in her verses, often unconsciously. She cited a line from one of her poems: “Whenever my lips long to sing a smile for love, I flutter into lamentation.” On the rising prominence of female poetic voices in the Moroccan cultural landscape, Mahjoubi affirmed that women are creating across literary genres—from poetry to short stories, novels, and other arts such as singing, theater, and journalism—highlighting pride in their contributions across multiple fields. Similarly, Fatima El Faiz, a researcher in Amazigh literature at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Ibn Zohr University in Agadir, southern Morocco, emphasized that in addition to her research, she writes poetry and short stories. She considers creative work a personal refuge from life’s pressures, explaining: “I escape into it to relieve work stresses. I write in Arabic, but I write more extensively in Amazigh, as I am a professor of Amazigh literature.” El Faiz shared that poetry “chose her” early in life. She memorized much pre-Islamic poetry before moving on to free verse, finding traditional metric poetry difficult. She said poetry offered her a broad space for self-expression, while short stories provided another form of creative enjoyment. Though poetry allows expansive expression, it imposes rhythm constraints, requiring careful word selection, whereas prose offers greater freedom, influenced by her poetic background. Regarding the topics she explores, El Faiz said she writes about all issues that concern humanity and, specifically, Moroccan society. Women frequently appear in her work, reflecting her personal perspective as a woman. The evening also featured a handicraft exhibition by artist Zakya Al-Aqib, displaying handcrafted bags adorned with embroidery and agate stones, alongside modern interpretations of traditional Moroccan “balgha” shoes. Additionally, a group of female vocalists performed a diverse repertoire combining classical Moroccan music and Sufi singing.} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/women-s-voices-poetry-evening-celebrating-women-on-their-global-day-38728


IWD Algeria
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 8, 2026
{Algerian Women Launch Initiative to Support Girls on International Women’s Day
Under the slogan “Connect and Lead Initiative,” young Algerian women launched a community project via EU Jeel Connect for International Women’s Day, supporting girls and promoting gender equality.
Algeria — On International Women’s Day, countries around the world organize a variety of events and activities to celebrate the role of women, raise awareness about gender equality, and empower them in society, while highlighting women’s achievements and the challenges they continue to face. Coinciding with International Women’s Day, a group of young Algerian women launched a community initiative aimed at supporting girls and creating a space for dialogue on gender equality and equal opportunities. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of breaking stereotypes that still surround women’s roles in society and enhancing their active participation across various fields. This initiative was part of the EU Jeel Connect program under the slogan “Connect and Lead Initiative”, a program that seeks to empower youth, encourage them to launch their own projects, support entrepreneurial spirit and investment, take advantage of available opportunities, and foster the exchange of experiences with various institutions across multiple sectors. The initiative aimed to create a discussion space where girls could learn more about women’s rights and concepts of justice and gender equality. It provided awareness-raising information and open discussions about the challenges women face, emphasizing that women’s empowerment begins with awareness of their rights and belief in their ability to drive change. The event featured women from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including entrepreneurs who shared their professional journeys and success stories. This allowed participants to exchange experiences and draw inspiration from exemplary women who have established a strong presence in multiple fields. These stories served as a source of motivation for the girls, highlighting the growing role of women in society and their ability to make a positive impact in sectors such as education, engineering, and entrepreneurship. The initiative also highlighted the need to strengthen women’s presence in public spaces and support their participation in social and economic development, recognizing them as essential partners in building a more just and balanced society. Speakers emphasized the importance of continuing youth-led initiatives that provide platforms for discussion and knowledge exchange on women’s issues and work to instill a culture of equality and fairness in society. This initiative reflects a growing commitment among Algerian youth to advocate for women’s rights and empower girls through grassroots initiatives that raise awareness, boost self-confidence, and encourage women to enter various fields without restrictions or stereotypes. Ultimately, such efforts contribute to building a society that recognizes women’s abilities and provides them with full opportunities to participate, influence, and drive change. } Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/algerian-women-launch-initiative-to-support-girls-on-international-women-s-day-38727


Lavan Mustafa
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 7, 2026
{Women of the Qandil Mountains: March 8 is a Station to Renew Will and Affirm the Struggle for Freedom
Women in the Qandil Mountains see March 8 as renewing their will and resistance, making it a symbol of unity and freedom.
Qandil Mountain_Lavan Mustafa,the co-president of the People’s Council in the Qandil Mountains, emphasized that March 8th is a station for renewing women’s will,not just a passing date on the calendar,calling on Kurdish women yearning for freedom to celebrate tis day,affirming that it is the day when all social and political restrictions imposed on women must be shattered. Women in the Qandili Mountains see March 8th not merely as an annual occasion,but as a symbol of struggle, free will, and reviving the spirit of resistance, and a day to renew the pledge and an opportunity to affirm their commitment to the cause of freedom and continue the struggle against all forms of injustice. This day is also considered a symbol of unity, as women emphasize the importance of solidarity and cooperation to wrest their rights. The blending of nature with struggle, and the celebrations held amidst the Qandil Mountains, give this day a special meaning, where planting trees or distributing flowers is used as a symbol of life and continuity. For them, the identity of the free woman is embodied on this day; it is an occasion to highlight the model of the woman who has decision-making power and will, who is strongly present in various fields of political, social, and military life, and who is always ready to defend her rights and future. Lavan Mustafa, co-president of the People's Council in the Qandil Mountains, sent a message on the occasion of the approaching March 8th, International Women's Day, affirming in it the necessity of women's unity to face the obstacles and restrictions targeting their will. She said, "For us, March 8th is not just a date on the calendar, but a station to renew will and consolidate women's power. On this day, we unite our voices and become that vortex that no restriction can stop or break." Lavan Mustafa called on Kurdish women yearning for freedom in the Qandil Mountains region to gather in the spirit of the slogan Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Women, Life, Freedom) and revive this historic day: "I invite all free women in the Qandil Mountains to gather on Sunday in Bukriskân village, to celebrate together in a joint evening this historic day." Lavan Mustafa's call comes at a time when women in the Qandil Mountains annually welcome March 8th with great enthusiasm and various activities, affirming their continued struggle for freedom and equality, and stressing that this day represents a station to renew the pledge and continue resistance.} Video - Source:    
https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/women-of-the-qandil-mountains-march-8-is-a-station-to-renew-will-and-affirm-the-struggle-for-freedom-38720?page=1


IWD Turkey
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 7, 2026 Alif Akçul
{With March 8 approaching... Turkish women between the struggle for equality and the battle for survival
On March 8, Özgür Aktokun of the Women's Platform for Equality highlights women's struggle for equal citizenship, work, and life amid a femicide surge.
Istanbul – As March 8th, International Women's Day, approaches, women's organizations in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul are preparing to intensify their struggle across a wide range of issues; starting from the continuous rise in femicides, passing through the demand for equal citizenship, and reaching the lack of recognition for care work and the escalating debates on secularism and the legal system. In the view of the women's movement, this day is not merely a symbolic occasion or an annual commemoration, but rather a milestone in the struggle where women's demands for equality are renewed and forcefully return to the forefront. According to sociologist and member of the Women's Platform for Equality, Özgür Aktokun, women's agenda is not reduced to a single law or a single headline; it is directly related to women's lives and their right to equal citizenship, affirming that women's issues are not limited to legal amendments but are connected to life itself. "Therefore, our agenda is life itself. To build a life in which a woman can live as a human being, as a citizen, on the basis of equality. This also includes work, so our struggle is about the recognition of our existence in all areas of life, and that is why what occupies women today is life."
"Equal Citizenship Remained on Paper"
Özgür Aktokun explains that women's agenda intersects with many issues such as work, the burden of care, and equal citizenship, pointing out that the rights stipulated in laws often remain without actual implementation in daily life. She states that one of the most important reasons for the continuation of women's struggle for years is this problem of implementation. "Even if women's rights to equal citizenship in this country are recognized in the Civil Code, these rights have not been practically exercised in the existing implementation. This is precisely what keeps the struggle for women's rights alive and strong." She adds that one of the fundamental axes determining women's agenda is inequality in the field of work. The weak participation of women in the labor market and the non-application of the principle of equal pay for equal work constitute an important part of this picture. The issue of invisible work and care work also emerges as one of the factors directly affecting women's lives. She emphasizes that this burden is often not viewed as an issue requiring public policies. "Our rights related to care duties have never been put on this country's agenda. The non-recognition of the care burden makes the lives of many women extremely difficult, and most importantly, because this burden is not visible, we do not know what millions of women are forced to endure, nor do we know what they are compelled to face."
"Don't Touch the Law… Implement It"
Özgür Aktokun clarifies that the struggle of women's organizations is not limited to demanding new rights, but also includes insisting on the implementation of already existing laws, which is a fundamental aspect of women's daily battle. She states that the problem lies not only in enacting laws but in ensuring their actual application, and for this reason, the Women's Platform for Equality reiterates its clear position: "Don't tamper with the law… Implement it." She views that this demand, which women have been repeating for years, is not just a legal call, but is also a reminder to the state of the necessity to activate the principle of equal citizenship and make it a tangible reality in women's lives.
A Struggle for Rights and Survival Simultaneously
Özgür Aktokun points out that the escalation of violence against women casts a direct shadow over all these discussions, explaining that women are struggling not only for their rights but also for survival. She states that the reality is so harsh that six women are killed in a single day in this country, which makes the battle for life itself an integral part of their daily struggle. She believes that with March 8th approaching, the defense of the principle of secularism and the preservation of the Civil Code emerge as one of the most important issues on women's agenda, noting that the rights women have wrested through years of struggle have long been subjected to continuous attempts at undermining through various practices and discussions. She explains that what occupies women today is protecting these foundations, which, in their view, are a guarantee of the state's very existence in the face of pressures exerted by the authority. Aktokun reminds us that women did not obtain their rights easily but wrested them through long years of struggle, emphasizing that today's debate is not limited to matters like inheritance or alimony, and that the issue is much deeper, as tampering with these rights essentially means depriving the girls and boys of this country of their most basic right to live their childhood as they should. For the women's movement, protecting the Civil Code represents a fundamental axis of struggle. Aktokun believes that any infringement upon this legal system will leave a profound impact extending beyond the present to future generations, stressing that backtracking on the gains that define women's status and rights within the Civil Code will not only affect women today but will carry its severest consequences for those who come later, stating that losing these rights will make future generations pay the highest price} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/jh-38719?page=1


Sejnane Women
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 7, 2026 Zohour Al-Mashriqi
{Sejnane Women Between Preserving Heritage and Ignored Rights… An Ancient Craft Facing Neglect
While the world celebrates International Women’s Day, Sejnane’s rural women say reality differs despite UNESCO recognition, pottery artisans still work in harsh conditions threatening their craft’s survival.
 Tunisia-Although Tunisian women artisans working in pottery succeeded in bringing this ancient heritage to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, their social conditions remain difficult. Women in the rural areas of Sejnane work under harsh conditions without social security or health protection, amid weak marketing opportunities and insufficient support. In the rural region of Sejnane in northern Tunisia, where mountains embrace the scent of history and nature preserves the memory of the place, women continue to produce clay pottery using traditional methods passed down from generation to generation. On these clay pieces they draw simple decorations and feminine faces locally known as the “Bride of Sejnane,” a symbol of heritage preserved by tired hands but now threatened with disappearance.
“We Are the Ones Who Brought This Heritage to International Recognition”
Sarah Saidan, a craftswoman living in the village of Al-Qatma in Sejnane, has been working with clay since childhood. She says with a smile while describing her relationship with the craft: “I cannot imagine a day passing without touching clay… it is a love story that no one else can understand.” She learned the craft from her grandmother and mother and never attended school. She adds, “Clay was my first school,” explaining that she works from her home producing pottery pieces that pass through seventeen stages before reaching their final form. Sarah explains that the work begins with collecting clay from the mountains surrounding the village. The clay is then left to rest before being shaped by hand, a process that requires great patience and precision. She adds, “Even the clay has come to understand us.” However, this craft, which carries a long history rooted in local memory, is not easy. Many artisans suffer health problems due to long working hours and constant bending, especially back pain and poor eyesight. Sarah notes that the biggest problem remains weak marketing, as many artisans are forced to display their products along roadsides due to the lack of exhibitions. She says: “Sometimes an entire month passes without selling a single piece, even though most of us live from this craft.” She also criticizes the lack of communication with local authorities regarding exhibitions, confirming that many artisans are not informed about them or invited to participate. Moreover, exhibitions are often organized in the capital, forcing the artisans to travel from their village and rent temporary accommodation, which is expensive and difficult for women with limited resources. She adds: “We are the ones who brought this heritage to international recognition, and it is the government’s duty to support us and organize exhibitions that allow us to sell our products in better conditions.” She also criticizes the requirement of obtaining the “Patente” (tax card) to participate in exhibitions, considering that this measure further worsens their economic situation amid weak sales. She says: “We have one exhibition a year, yet we are asked to pay the Patente. Does the government know that bringing clay from the mountains costs money, and that buying firewood and decoration tools also has a price?” Sarah fears that if these conditions continue, younger generations will refuse to learn the craft. “Our children see how hard we work and how difficult this job is, so we fear they will abandon it and the craft will disappear.” She does not hide her bitterness when artisans are only mentioned during women-related occasions such as International Women’s Day. “We work twelve months a year in heat and cold. Why does no one remember us except on one day?”
A Heritage That Tells the Story of Sejnane Women
Rabia Saidan, another clay artisan who supports her family through this profession, says she inherited not only the craft but also a history of women’s resilience in the region. She explains: “We learned from our grandmothers to love this craft and preserve it as it is, without machines and without any enhancements.” She points out that artisans face major marketing difficulties, especially since many of them are illiterate and lack access to modern tools to promote their products. She adds: “We need someone to help us market and introduce our products.” She confirms that working with clay is both physically and psychologically exhausting, but the women continue despite all the hardships. “With these tired hands we brought Sejnane pottery to the Intangible Heritage list, yet we still live without social protection or clear recognition of our status as artisans.” Despite the suffering, Rabia insists that the women will continue their work to preserve this heritage, which represents part of the region’s identity. “This heritage tells the story of the women of Sejnane… and we will not let it disappear.”} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/sejnane-women-between-preserving-heritage-and-ignored-rights-an-ancient-craft-facing-neglect-38717


IWD Iran
NCRI - Women Committee - in Articles, News, March 6, 2026
{March 8: International Women’s Day and the Leading Role of Iranian Women in the Struggle for Freedom
March 8 is celebrated worldwide as International Women’s Day, a day that honors over a century of women’s fight for equality, justice, and human rights.
This day traces back to the early 20th century, when women workers in New York and Europe protested discrimination, unequal pay, and harsh working conditions. In 1977, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day, turning it into a global symbol for women’s struggle for equality. Today, International Women’s Day is more than a date on the calendar; it represents the resilience and determination of women who fight for a freer, fairer, and more just world.
International Women’s Day in Iran: Women Leading the Path to Freedom
In recent years, Iranian women have taken the forefront in social and political change. They fight not only for their individual and social rights but also for freedom, democracy, and an end to authoritarian rule. Their presence in nationwide protests shows that women are the driving force of society, and without them, no freedom movement in Iran can succeed. In light of such social conditions in Iran and the role of Iranian women in struggle, any viable alternative to the current misogynistic regime must defend women’s active and equal participation in leadership both for overthrowing the regime and for the era after the overthrow.
How Far Have Iranian Women Come?
Today, Iranian women are not just claimants of rights—they are architects of a new and free future. Iranian women have shown that they are not helpless victims, but the very force for change in Iran, who are committed to:
True participation in power and decision-making
Freedom of choice and legal equality
Paying a heavy price for justice and liberty
This awareness and bravery form the foundation for a future free Iran and guarantee women’s equal rights in the free Iran of tomorrow.

Narges Mohammadi, Varisha Moradi, Pakhshan Azizi, Zahra Tabiri and Sharifeh Monfared Mohammadi
The High Price of Freedom
The path to freedom and equality in Iran has never been easy. Many women defending fundamental human rights have faced imprisonment, oppression, security threats, and even death. Tens of thousands of women have lost their lives in the fight against the clerical regime since the 1980s. The following generations have also paid the ultimate price during successive uprisings in 1999, 2009, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2026. These sacrifices made by women of all age groups, and from various social and ethnic backgrounds, underscore the depth of their commitment and demonstrate that this struggle continues with courage, awareness, and resilience. The finest sons and daughters of Iran did not give their lives to move from a religious tyranny back to a monarchical dictatorship. The only path is forward toward a democratic and bright future.
The Journey Continues: No Retreat
The Iranian women’s movement is not a temporary phenomenon. It is as old as the nationwide movement seeking democracy for Iran since 120 years ago. Women of Iran have kept up with the nationwide movement and this has been the key to their progress and growth. Iranian women are not helpless victims of dictators, but fighting at the forefront of Iran’s democratic revolution. They will continue and will never retreat until the ultimate goal—a democratic, equal, and free society—is achieved.
The Role of the International Community
The global community cannot remain indifferent to what is happening in Iran. Supporting the demands of the Iranian people, especially women, is not just a moral responsibility—it is a defense of fundamental human rights. Recognizing the legitimate right of the people of Iran and Iranian women and youth to fight and overthrow the clerical regime is a step in solidarity and expression of support. Recognizing that only the people of Iran have the legitimate right to determine the political future of their country. No future for Iran can be created from outside. Supporting the democratic alternative is not only standing with the Iranian people’s desires, but it is also necessary for the fight against terrorism and for establishing peace and stability in the region and the world. The regime’s embassies that are centers of espionage and terrorism, must be shut down in all countries. Political, media, and legal actions can amplify the voices of Iranian women worldwide and increase pressure on the oppressive clerical regime.
The Global Message of March 8
March 8 is not just a reminder of the past—it is a symbol of a future free from oppression where all citizens are equal before the law. Iranian women, with courage, awareness, and determination, have paved the way for change, and the world sees that no force can stop this movement. This International Women’s Day belongs to Iranian women and youth who sacrificed their lives and paid the ultimate price for freedom in January. People around the world, particularly conscious women, understand that their fate should never be handed to a lifelong dictator, and that freedom, dignity, and equality are inalienable rights for all human beings.}: Source: https://wncri.org/2026/03/06/march-8-international-womens-day-iran/

Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 6, 2026
{“March 8 this year represents a new milestone in the struggle of Kurdish women.”
In a global context witnessing a rise in women’s struggles for freedom and equality, Kurdish feminist movements affirm their active presence in European arenas, drawing on a long history of resistance and organization.
News Center_ As March 8 approaches, calls are renewed to unite afforts and strengthen public participation on this day, which has become a global symbol of women’s struggle. The Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe (TJK-E) announced today,Friday,March 6, its readiness to take to the streets on March 8, emphasizing that this day marks the beginning of a new year of Kurdish feminist struggle. The movement explained that women seeking liberation from the crises of capitalist modernity continue to defend the values of freedom, peace, and democratic society in the face of wars and oppressive policies. It noted that the source of this renewed belief lies in the intellectual and political model represented by leader Abdullah Öcalan. The statement added that the movement considers International Women’s Day the beginning of a new year of work and struggle, affirming that it has “many reasons and goals” that drive it to continue this path. It also stressed its determination to play a leading role in strengthening national unity and confronting all mentalities that attempt to limit women’s abilities and roles in society. The movement also pledged to commemorate “all comrades who were martyred during half a century of struggle,” and to work toward easing the suffering of mothers who have paid heavy prices on the path to freedom. The statement concluded with a call to the Kurdish people and supporters of the cause to participate widely in the events of March 8 and to demonstrate determination and enthusiasm everywhere.} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/march-8-this-year-represents-a-new-milestone-in-the-struggle-of-kurdish-women-38712


Klistan Kalo
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 2, 2026 Nagham Jajan
{On March 8, 2026…Rojava’s Women Face the Challenge of Protecting Their Achievements
To secure their place in Syria’s constitution, women must be included in upcoming committees, with nominees ensuring participation across sectors and meaningful roles in decision-making processes.
Nagham Jajan
Qamishlo — This year’s women’s struggle has confirmed that women’s rights in North and East Syria are no longer a secondary demand, but a firmly established reality in law, institutions, and decision-making bodies. Significant achievements have been realized, from strengthening the co-chair system to expanding women’s roles in governance, the economy, and social life—reinforcing women’s presence as essential partners in shaping the region’s future. Klistan Kalo, a member of Kongra Star in the city of Qamishlo in Rojava, stated that women’s struggle has continued since the beginning of the Rojava Revolution in Kurdistan until today. “Women have waged a عظيمة struggle and led the revolution. The Rojava Revolution has transformed into a women’s revolution. In 2025, the level of women’s representation within the organization reached its highest point.” She explained that women were given opportunities for education in all areas of society—associations, councils, and academies—allowing thousands of women to receive training. “Women achieved many accomplishments in both the military and administrative fields. The co-leadership system, which has become a model for the world, was implemented in Rojava Kurdistan.” Women have worked to secure their rights, protect laws concerning women, and combat violence against them. The Women’s House (Mala Jin) has played a significant role in this struggle. She added that “2026 represents a new phase for North and East Syria; with the beginning of this year, we have entered a new stage.” She noted that the regions of North and East Syria were subjected to attacks by international forces and alliances. “Throughout the years of the revolution, women administered the regions, built their own system, and managed their institutions based on the model of the democratic nation that encompasses the components of the region. North and East Syria became an example for all of Syria, attracting many people from outside the region seeking safety and stability.” Kalo also referred to what she described as an international conspiracy launched against North and East Syria on January 6, stating that its aim was the eradication of the Kurdish people. She drew a parallel with the international conspiracy against Abdullah Ocalan, saying that broad attacks were carried out against the region. She highlighted the unprecedented resistance in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, and noted that thousands were killed as a result of the attacks on North and East Syria. She added that the Syrian Democratic Forces and the interim administration reached an agreement on January 29.
“We Have a Great Struggle”
Klistan Kalo stated that the interim Syrian government does not recognize women. “The interim administration does not recognize women’s rights because it does not recognize their identity, will, or existence. Nevertheless, women have led North and East Syria and have become role models.” She explained that all women’s institutions and organizations announced a mass campaign on February 18, demanding the protection of all women’s rights and the safeguarding of the gains of the women’s revolution within the new Syrian constitution. “Equality between women and men must be realized in the new Syria.” She stressed that “women will not accept the chains of servitude in the twenty-first century,” and that numerous events will be organized for March 8. “As we stated in our campaign, there will be many activities on International Women’s Day.” Regarding how to legally safeguard the achievements of the women’s revolution, she said: “How we ensure the continuation of women’s struggle in all spheres of society is what we will announce during our International Women’s Day events. Our slogan this year is: ‘With the philosophy of woman, life, and freedom, we will protect the achievements of the women’s revolution,’ because these gains are under threat. Women’s organizations continued their struggle even under the Baath regime, and they will continue today. Women will not accept servitude in the twenty-first century.”
“The Co-Chair System Does Not Exist in Many Countries”
Kalo noted that the co-chair system has sparked debate. “Syrian society does not accept a single-color, single-nationality system. Syria cannot truly represent the will of its people under this administration represented by al-Jolani. He will not be able to govern Syria entirely. The co-chair system does not exist in many countries worldwide. It has been a new model in Kurdistan, where men and women share responsibility in all aspects of life.”
“The Twenty-First Century Is the Century of Women’s Freedom”
Klistan Kalo concluded by emphasizing: “Our struggle will always continue; the twenty-first century is the century of women’s freedom. The interim administration fears women’s struggle. For women to secure their place in the Syrian constitution, the committees that will be formed must include women. Many women have been nominated so that women can participate in all fields, play a role in decision-making, and protect their achievements.”} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/on-march-8-2026-rojava-s-women-face-the-challenge-of-protecting-their-achievements-38667?page=1


Tülay Korkutan
Jinhagency - Womens News Agency - March 2, 2026 Elif Akgül
{Women Workers and the Feminizatioin of Poverty… Women Living Under a Double Burden
Women’s employment and their precarious working conditions are among the most pressing issues facing women in Turkey this March 8, International Women’s Day.
Istanbul_ As March 8, International Women’s Day approaches, the issue of women’s employment and the feminization of proverty remains a major challenge in Turkey According to date form the Turkish Statistical Institute, the employment rate for women was approximately 32–33% in 2024, while women’s labor force participation rate stood at around 36%. The unemployment rate among women, according to the narrow definition, ranges between 11–12%, while the unemployment rate among young women exceeds 24%. According to data from DİSK-AR, the broad definition of women’s unemployment reaches 37%, and the rate of informal employment among women stands at 32.9%. Tülay Korkutan, from the Women’s Solidarity Association and the Women’s Union affiliated with Emek Women’s Union, states that women do not receive equal pay for equal work and face bullying and harassment in the workplace. She explained that women are directed toward flexible and precarious forms of employment, largely due to domestic care responsibilities that shape this trend. She stressed that women’s poverty is not limited to lack of income, but also includes time poverty. She added that women’s representation in labor unions remains weak and that this area needs to be strengthened through women’s struggle.
Women’s Work and the Struggle for “Equal Pay for Equal Work”
Tülay Korkutan said, “As we approach March 8, it is truly important to speak about the problems faced by working women,” adding that women are confined to unstable and flexible jobs in line with the policies of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). She pointed out that one of the main challenges women face in the workplace is not receiving equal pay for equal work, despite performing the same tasks as men. In addition, they are subjected to psychological harassment and sexual harassment. She noted that current government policies aim to make family life and work “compatible,” but this so-called compatibility places domestic care responsibilities solely on women, pushing them to accept more fragile and less stable jobs. She further explained that women are often compelled to work in flexible jobs because of responsibilities such as caring for children or elderly family members. Although these policies are presented as “opportunities” to increase women’s participation in the labor market, studies by institutions such as DİSK-AR and “Kadın İşçi” reveal that the apparent increase in women’s employment largely occurs within precarious and unprotected work conditions. This makes women’s participation in the labor market more symbolic than substantive. For this reason, women increasingly work in flexible and unstable jobs. If they must care for a child or an elderly person at home, they bear this responsibility alone. Looking at the current situation—especially concerning women—there appears to be a policy framework in which women are allowed to enter the labor market, and programs are announced as “good news.” Authorities claim that the number of working women is rising; however, research by DİSK-AR and women workers’ organizations shows that employment is increasingly being pushed into flexible and insecure sectors.
Women Also Suffer from Time Poverty
The feminization of poverty is considered a multidimensional problem and is not limited to income deprivation alone. It is noted that women experience deeper poverty amid economic crises and rising living costs, as they bear the burden of both paid and unpaid labor. This situation leads to what is Known as “time poverty” in women’s Daily lives. Women continuously experience time pressure due to domestic care responsibilities, whether or not they participate in the workforce. Women’s proverty, or the feminization of poverty more broadly, is understood within a wider economic context, This is significant because,unless a woman is employed, she truly lacks economic freedom.However, on the other hand, she also suffers from time poverty. What does this mean? ? Tülay Korkutan explains: “Today, whether we are wage earners or performing unpaid domestic labor, we do not have enough time in our lives. Women suffer from time poverty. There is a vast difference between the time men dedicate to housework and the time women dedicate to it, and this is the case in many parts of the world.” She pointed out that this reality prevents women from living the lives they want and from doing what they desire. The role imposed on women—caring for the household and bearing the full responsibility of reproduction—means that the time they can devote to art, politics, or friends is far less than that of men. However, because men are not held accountable for this imbalance, and because the system—together with capitalism and patriarchy—reinforces this situation, it continues to worsen. Therefore, as March 8 approaches, women will take to the streets to fight for their labor rights, particularly for improved working conditions, equal pay, and the struggle against workplace bullying and harassment.
Double Shifts and Precarious Work
Tülay Korkutan points out that women’s position in working life is evaluated alongside their domestic labor,and that both paid domestic work and care work are carried out under unstable conditions. She adds that women live under a “double shift system”, emphasizing that the social assignment of housework to women deepens their insecurity. For example,domestic workers are employed in paid jobs, yet they also continue working at home. “All these roles stem from the responsibilities assigned to us,” she explains. In reality, women live under a double burden. They are concentrated in the most fragile and flexible sectors, where wages are extremely low. If men were employed in domestic work for pay, it would likely be a fully secured profession, complete with retirement rights, insurance coverage, and legal status. However, because these jobs are considered women’s work, even paid domestic workers are employed in highly precarious conditions—without insurance, and without occupational health and safety measures.
Women’s Representation in Labor Unions
The issue of labor union organization is an important part of the broader debate on women’s work. Tülay Korkutan notes that unionization rates in Turkey are generally low, and that women’s representation within union structures is limited, with leadership positions largely occupied by men. She stresses the need for structural reforms to increase women’s participation in labor unions, pointing to the systemic barriers women face in this field and the necessity of institutional arrangements to overcome them. “Unfortunately, union membership rates in Turkey are very low. But when we look at the overall picture, the number of women is significantly lower,” she explains. “It is true that in several unions affiliated with DİSK, young women hold leadership positions. However, in general, women are rarely visible in union work. Of course, there are many reasons for this—we are constrained by numerous limitations. When we join a union or attempt to participate in any aspect of struggle, we must overcome these constraints in order to engage in political activity as freely as men.” In conclusion, Korkutan, from the Women’s Solidarity Association and the Women’s Union affiliated with Emek Women’s Union, emphasized: “Men do not readily make space for us, so we must create that space ourselves. Breaking these constraints is not easy. Especially with men dominating administrative positions, the space for women becomes even narrower. Unions must adopt policies to increase women’s participation. They should certainly establish daycare centers at their headquarters to enable women to attend meetings and ease some of the restrictions placed upon them. However, this is not something that can be achieved simply by requesting it from top management or imposing it on men. Women are striving for this and fighting to make it happen.”} Video - Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/women-workers-and-the-feminizatioin-of-poverty-women-living-under-a-double-burden-38666?page=1

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