ماهنامه شماره یکصد و چهل وسوم رهائی زن - ما بیشماریم، ما ادامه داریم

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Women's freedom and equality is the standard for society's liberation

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

• Organization: Organization for the Emancipation of Women
  
  
• Website: RahaiZan.Org
  
  
• Publication: Rahai Zan (Monthly Publication)
  
  
• Issue: 3rd Series, Issue 143
  
  
• Date: September & October 2026 (Shahrivar & Mehr 1405)
  
  
• Editor-in-Chief: Mino Hemati (minohemati@gmail.com)
  
  
• Managing Editor: Sharareh Rezaei (shararehrezaei.p@gmail.com)
  
  
• Slogan: "We are countless, we continue..."
  
  

Table of Contents

• Woman, Life, Freedom Four Years Later: The Wind Still Blows Through Their Hair — Shahla Rezaei
  
  
• Joint Action Statement on the Fourth Anniversary of the Woman, Life, Freedom Uprising
  
  
  
  
• Mahsa is Not Just a Name, It is a Question — Maryam Moradi
  
  
• Misunderstanding — Poem by Ferdows Dini
  
  
• Fourth Anniversary of the Revolutionary Movement
  
  
  
  
• The Fourth Anniversary of Zhina: Reminding of a Wound That Never Cools and a Resolve That is Unbreakable — Mahnaz Salavati
  
  
• Short Report on the 4th Anniversary of Zhina (Mahsa) Amini in Hanover — Reporter: Afshin Salavati
  
  
• Four Years After Zhina: Rebellion Against the Machine of Repression and Executions... — Mohammad Bahaeddine Vahedi Yeganeh
  
  
• A Generation That No Longer Fears: The Story of a Generation That Has Put Aside Silence and Obedience — Aleyeh Dadgar
  
  
• Berlin Activists' Report: Hand in Hand Against the Far-Right
  
  
  
  
• Woman, Life, Freedom: Four Years of Resistance Against Darkness — Afshin Salavati
  
  
• Berlin Activists' Report: "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi Movement in the Shadow of War" — Title of the September 18, 2026 event in Berlin marking the 4th year of the Zhina movement
  
  
• Woman, Life, Freedom: Zhina, a Song That Will Not Be Silenced — Farideh Salavati
  
  
• Jin, Jiyan, Azadi: Berlin Activists' Report in Opposition to Legal Article 218 in Germany
  
  
  
  
• No to War, No to Sanctions, No to Executions, No to the Islamic Republic
  
  
  
  
• Human Dignity and Mutual Responsibility Within the Framework of Solidarity Ethics — Ferdows Dini
  
  

Multilingual Slogans listed:

WOMAN, LIFE, FREEDOM | FRAUEN, LEBEN, FREIHEIT | FEMME, VIE, LIBERTÉ | MUJER, VIDA, LIBERTAD | امرأة، حياة، حرية | DONNA, VITA, LIBERTÀ

Solidarity Call:

Join the Rahai Zan publication! You can send social, legal, psychological, sociological, and health articles, personal experiences and reports on women's lives (yours and children's...), poetry, news, reports, translations, book and movie reviews to Markazi@RahaiZan.org.

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Right to Life and Welfare for All

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

Woman, Life, Freedom: Four Years Later, the Wind Still Blows Through Their Hair

By Shahla Rezaei

Four years have passed. Four years since the day the name Zhina (Mahsa) Amini turned from a name into a wound in a nation's memory; and from that wound, three words arose that crossed Iran's borders: Woman, Life, Freedom.

Four years ago, few could have imagined that women who were arrested for a few strands of hair would one day let their hair flow in the wind on the streets of that same country, run, ride bicycles, ride motorcycles, and openly show their presence rather than hiding it. But today, on the anniversary of that movement, images from Tehran have been published that carry a meaning far beyond an athletic competition. Women ran in Tehran's 10km race, and several attended without headscarves and wearing their choice of sportswear. This is while the legal mandatory hijab requirement officially remains in place.

What a Distance Between That Day and Today

A distance that cannot be measured only by a calendar; it is measured by resistance. By women who chose how to appear in the city every morning before leaving home, despite the possibility of fines, car impoundment, deprivation, and pressure. Human rights reports show that judicial encounters, car impoundments, business closures, and digital surveillance have continued to enforce mandatory hijab, yet they persisted.

Surely, one of the deepest achievements of "Woman, Life, Freedom" cannot be found in a single legal code. Part of it must be sought in the street: in changing what society considers possible. Mandatory hijab has not been removed from Iranian law yet—this reality should not be hidden. But another reality stands before us: four years after the movement began, the presence of women without headscarves in parts of public spaces has spread so much that anniversary reports speak of it becoming part of daily life. Even the law intended to vastly expand punishments and restrictions related to hijab was halted and not implemented despite passing parliament and approval by the Guardian Council. This does not mean mandatory hijab is repealed, but in the narrative of these four years, the difference between what was meant to be imposed on society and what could practically be enforced cannot be overlooked.

The story did not end with the headscarf. For years, women rode motorcycles, but the official structure refused to issue them driver's licenses. Now the government has issued a directive obligating the police to provide the mechanism for training, testing, and issuing motorcycle licenses to women. To someone outside Iran, getting a license might not seem like a big deal. But in a land where this simple image—a woman on a motorcycle with wind in her hair—faced restrictions and taboos for years, every meter of this path carries a story. The story of women who didn't wait for society to permit them to live first; they lived, rode bikes, rode motorcycles, ran, danced and sang in the streets, and pushed the boundaries of habit.

Fear of Choosing

Four years later, Iranian women are still running: sometimes on a racetrack, sometimes on the street, sometimes on a bike, sometimes on a motorcycle, and sometimes just with a few strands of hair released in the wind. The power of "Woman, Life, Freedom" is precisely here: a woman who changes does not easily return to the previous point. A woman who has tasted choice, who understands her body is not a domain for others to command, who ran in the street and felt the wind caressing her hair, is no longer the woman before September 2022. And the society that saw these women is no longer the previous society.

This movement did not only happen in squares and streets; it penetrated daily life: clothing choices, presence in the city, sports, bikes, motorcycles, women's voices, families' perspectives, and most importantly, a generation's realization that conscious struggle yields great achievements. Today, when women run in Tehran with the wind through their hair, that image isn't just a race. Behind every step is the memory of women and men who stood by them and paid the price; were arrested, humiliated, deprived of work and education, and those who are no longer among us.

Something in Iran has broken that isn't easy to restore to its past form. We are still here; not all demands have been realized, discrimination hasn't ended, laws aren't equal, and pressures haven't stopped. But the wind that was once supposed to be forbidden from touching her hair now entangles in her hair, whispering those same three words again: Woman, Life, Freedom—a path that still continues.

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Freedom and Equality: The Right of All Humans

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

Joint Action Statement on the 4th Anniversary of the Woman, Life, Freedom Uprising

Collective Action of Independent Iranian Women Organizations

Date: August 27, 2026

This year, we welcome the fourth anniversary of the Zhina revolutionary uprising under conditions where, on the one hand, life threats, economic pressures, and war destruction severely affect millions. On the other hand, the Islamic Republic attempts to silence popular movements and political opponents by escalating repressive policies, unprecedented execution increases, and charges like espionage and national security threats.

At the same time, right-wing and authoritarian forces inside and outside the country attempt to confiscate the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, stripping its emancipatory and progressive content to redefine it within old forms of tyranny, dependency, and discrimination.

"Woman, Life, Freedom" was an uprising centered on women and linked to the struggles of marginalized and oppressed classes, nationalities, and groups—from Kurdistan to Baluchistan, Khuzestan to Azerbaijan—and sustained by the resistance of queer people, migrants, and workers. It opened new horizons for the Iranian people's struggles, turning liberation from mandatory hijab (a long-standing tool of repression and domination) into a central pillar, while turning the demand to end systematic repression, discrimination, and inequality into a nationwide demand.

On the fourth anniversary, honoring those who lost their lives and saluting the resistance of thousands arrested, tortured, or sentenced to death—including female journalists and civil activists—we emphasize that defending political prisoners, supporting the "No to Execution Tuesdays" campaign (in its 135th week of struggle), and fighting to abolish capital punishment are essential duties of all freedom- and equality-seeking forces.

According to recent Amnesty International statistics, 2,159 people were executed in Iran last year (a 50% increase over the previous year, the highest execution number in 44 years since the 1980s massacres). Since the beginning of 1405 (March 2026), at least 378 people have been executed, 48 of whom were women. Over 70 recent detainees remain at risk of execution.

We emphasize a fundamental principle: freedom and justice do not pass through war and militarism. War imposes worse conditions on millions, including women (many of whom are street vendors, heads of households, or small workshop laborers), exposing them further to patriarchal violence (as rising femicide statistics show). Women remain deprived of the right to sing and face heavy penalties including flogging, imprisonment, and false charges if they resist. For instance, Hiva Seyfizadeh, a traditional music singer and instructor, was sentenced to 4 years in prison for "encouraging corruption and prostitution". Two female protesters were flogged 31 times each on August 25. Eight women face death sentences on political and ideological charges.

We, 23 independent Iranian women's organizations, emphasizing the right to life and peace, express full support for the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement and its achievements. We view independent organization, linking social protests, strengthening civil resistance networks, and maintaining nationwide solidarity as essential for freedom, right to life, peace, and social justice.

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Right to Choose, Right to Life

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

Mahsa is Not Just a Name, It is a Question!

By Maryam Moradi

Four years have passed since Mahsa's name became one of the most enduring names in Iran's contemporary history. A 22-year-old girl arrested in Tehran for "improper hijab" who died a few days later. UN independent fact-finding mission investigations concluded that Zhina Mahsa Amini's death in custody was unlawful and resulted from physical violence in detention.

What happened after Mahsa's death was no longer just the story of one young girl. "Mahsa" became the name of a generation that lived for years in silence, discrimination, and restrictions—a generation that decided to break the silence. Woman, Life, Freedom emerged from a death, but it wasn't about death; it was about life. A life Iranian women wanted to decide for themselves.

Young women stood at the forefront, and men and boys stood beside them. Demands ranged from equality and justice to social and political reforms. UN reports also documented that women and girls led the movement.

Four Years That Were Not Easy

The past four years were not ordinary. Many families lost loved ones, faced arrests, sentences, and judicial pressures. UN reports documented hundreds killed, including women and children, and widespread violence against protesters.

The movement moved into homes, universities, schools, workplaces, cyberspace, and most importantly, into society's mind and language. A woman who removed her headscarf spoke about the right to choose. A man standing beside her spoke about the kind of society he wished to live in. A mother seeking justice for her lost child fought for the future.

Human rights reports from 2026 continue to report extensive pressure on dissidents, women, and minorities, along with a sharp increase in executions.

Mahsa: A Name Beyond Politics

Perhaps the biggest mistake is viewing Mahsa solely within a political conflict framework. Before being a political slogan, Mahsa reminds Iranian people of a human question: Does a human have the right to decide about their own life?

This question doesn't belong to a single party or faction; it is a question about human dignity. That is why the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" crossed geographic borders and became a global symbol. Iranian society is diverse, but amidst differences, a unified human desire can be heard: A life without humiliation, a life without fear, a life with dignity, and the right to choose.

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War, Destruction, Killing

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

Memory is Another Form of Justice

Four years have passed, and families are still awaiting full answers. Preserving the names of victims is an act of justice seeking. A society that forgets its victims' names loses part of its moral memory. Recent September 2026 Amnesty International reports emphasize ongoing accountability demands for the 2022 crackdowns, documenting killings, torture, and sexual violence in detention.

Woman, Life, Freedom: From a Slogan to a Responsibility

If "Woman" is in this slogan, her dignity and agency must be taken seriously. If "Life" is in it, human lives must be valued. If "Freedom" is in it, freedom must be for everyone—even those who disagree with us.

Four Years Later

A generation that once asked about freedom cannot easily pretend the question doesn't exist. A society remembering Mahsa, Nika, Sarina, Hadis, Armita, and hundreds of others is speaking about its future. The real tribute is not forgetting why that voice was raised.

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Woman, Life, Freedom

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

Fourth Anniversary of Zhina: Reminding of a Wound That Never Cools and a Resolve That is Unbreakable

By Mahnaz Salavati

Four years have passed since the state murder of Zhina (Mahsa) Amini. Her name became a code for awakening, resistance, and rebellion against gender apartheid.

Nothing returns to before September 2022. Mandatory hijab, once the first trench of tyranny, has become a symbol of government failure. Islamic Republic prisons have turned into universities of resistance, where political prisoners like Narges Mohammadi keep the banner of justice held high.

The regime whose survival relies on suppressing women and executions has reached its expiration date. Zhina's memory multiplies daily in Iran's streets.

Short Report on the 4th Anniversary of Zhina (Mahsa) Amini in Hanover

Reporter: Afshin Salavati

An event was held on September 19, 2026, at Lindener Marktplatz in Hanover marking the 4th anniversary of Zhina Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. Iranian expatriates and freedom seekers attended to honor all martyrs. The main message was keeping the movement's voice alive against repression, executions, and discrimination. Representatives of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women participated.

Slogans shown on placards: "No to the Islamic Republic", "Frauen, Leben, Freiheit".

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Uprising Against Executions

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

Four Years After Zhina: Rebellion Against the Machine of Repression and Executions...

By Mohammad Bahaeddine Vahedi Yeganeh

Zhina's blood sparked 45 years of pent-up anger. "Woman, Life, Freedom" shattered the legitimacy of a misogynistic regime, proving society accepts no reforms within this criminal structure and demands complete overthrow.

The response was intensified repression: killing protesters, blinding youth, and torturing thousands. The Islamic Republic is an ideological/terrorist entity. Appeasement policies must stop, the IRGC must be designated a terrorist organization, and repression centers abroad dismantled.

A Generation That No Longer Fears: Narrative of a Generation That Put Silence and Obedience Aside

By Aleyeh Dadgar

Authoritarian regimes rule by instilling fear. But Iran faces a generation that refuses this deal—a generation that no longer fears. They know the risks, but fear no longer determines their choices.

Women played a decisive role in breaking the wall of fear. A woman resisting control challenges the foundation of authoritarian order. The gap between government and society is a deep rift over life choices and the country's future.

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Women Against Reactionary Traditions

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

(Article Continuation)

Despotism succeeds when individuals feel alone; solidarity strikes the biggest blow to the politics of fear. A generation that tasted freedom in its mind will not return to obedience. The future cannot be built on fear, discrimination, and force.

Berlin Activists' Report: Hand in Hand Against the Far-Right

On September 12, 2026, a week before Berlin elections, a broad coalition of nearly 100 organizations, trade unions, and feminist women's associations organized a major demonstration titled "Time for Change Has Arrived".

Iranian Women Activists in Exile – Berlin co-organized and spoke. Roya Vahedi emphasized linking struggles against war, militarism, anti-immigration policies, and gender/sexual repression, demanding freedom, equality, and human dignity for all. Over 30,000 people participated across seven protest routes covering climate protection, social justice, anti-racism, and queer feminism. Participants chanted "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi", "Woman, Life, Freedom", and "Long Live Global Solidarity!"

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Imposed Hijab: Captivity and Control Over Women

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

Woman, Life, Freedom: Four Years of Resistance Against Darkness

By Afshin Salavati

Four decades of Islamic Republic rule prove its survival relies on systematic human rights violations and treating women as second-class citizens. Ignoring rights to body autonomy, clothing choices, and freedom are crumbling pillars under popular demands.

Execution ropes are used at unprecedented levels to instill fear. Systematic repression ranges from mandatory hijab enforcement and business sealings to bans on education. Iranian prisons are silent slaughterhouses where human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and women's rights activists face extreme physical and mental torture. We remember, we forgive, but we do not forget.

Berlin Activists' Report: "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi Movement in the Shadow of War"

Event held on September 18, 2026, in Berlin marking the 4th anniversary of the movement.

• Speakers: Pejareh Heidari (on justice seekers' positions), Yavar Baradaran Khosroshahi (on the queer movement), Leila Hosseinzadeh (on struggle over the past 4 years).
  
  
• Moderator: Mila Mosafer.
  
  
• Organizers: Flüchtlingsrat Berlin e.V., Committee for Defense of Political Prisoners in Iran, and Iranian Women Activists in Exile – Berlin.
  
  

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Women Against Misogynistic and Unequal Laws

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

Zhina: A Song of Freedom That Will Not Be Silenced

By Farideh Salavati

Four years since September 2022, Zhina's name is a global cry against oppression. Increased executions, heavy prison sentences, and restrictive laws failed to silence women's voices. Zhina's message remains loud: Woman, Life, Freedom is a point of no return.

Berlin Activists' Report: In Opposition to Legal Article 218 in Germany

An annual September protest in Berlin organized by the Alliance for Sexual Self-Determination demanding the removal of Paragraph 218 (which criminalizes abortion).

Speakers from various feminist groups participated, including Pro Choice, pro familia, Grandmothers Against the Right, Slovenian feminist groups, Rainbow Families, and Iranian Women Activists in Exile – Berlin.

Roya Vahedi spoke on women's rights in various countries (US, Malta, Poland, Philippines, Iran, Afghanistan), emphasizing abortion restrictions' health risks and comparing body control via mandatory hijab to abortion bans.

Key Demands:

1. Repeal/remove Paragraph 218 of the German Criminal Code.
   
   
2. Guarantee women's right to independent decisions regarding abortion.
   
   
3. Strengthen bodily autonomy rights.
   
   

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Freedom and Equality

Publication of the Organization for the Emancipation of Women — Issue 143

(Article Continuation)

Call to end funding for militarism, patriarchy, and war preparations worldwide. Ended with a minute of silence for women who lost their lives due to lack of medical abortion care or for rejecting compulsory hijab, concluding with chants of "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" and "My Body, My Choice".

Iranian Women Activists in Exile – Berlin, September 19, 2026

Human Dignity and Mutual Responsibility Within the Framework of Solidarity Ethics

By Ferdows Dini

If human dignity is only a source of rights, others simply must not violate them. Solidarity ethics goes further: human dignity is also the basis for mutual responsibilities.

• Rights-based approach: Humans have rights; others' duty is primarily non-violation.
  
  
• Solidarity-based approach: Humans have rights, and others have a duty to actively participate in preserving conditions that make human dignity possible.
  
  

Drawing on thinkers like Emmanuel Levinas (responsibility for the Other), Paul Ricœur (living well with and for others in just institutions), and Axel Honneth (recognition and mutual respect), dignity, justice, and solidarity form three interconnected principles.

Graphics & Posters Text:

• "The death penalty brings neither justice nor deterrence; it only institutionalizes violence. No to Execution."
  
  
• "46 countries call for an immediate halt to executions in Iran."