Statement of the Abroad Committee of the Communist Party of Iran on the Occasion of March 8, International Women’s Day
March 8, International Women’s Day, has its roots in workers’ struggles and movements for equality. The suppression of the strike of women workers in the garment industry in New York on March 8, 1908, who were fighting for reduced working hours, higher wages, improved working conditions, and the right to vote, became one of the important events in the formation of the women’s movement. Despite more than a century of struggle to improve the position of women and eliminate inequalities, women still face oppression and discrimination in many countries around the world.
Despite the persistent struggles of women across the world, in many societies women still live in unfavorable conditions. In most developing countries, male family members or relatives still make decisions for women in many areas of life. Even in advanced countries such as Sweden and Norway, where women have achieved significant gains, they still suffer in areas such as wage differences and lower representation in high managerial, political, and economic positions.
According to reports by international organizations, women in the past year, despite some progress, have still faced serious challenges. A comparison of the situation of women and men in areas such as education, health, political power, and economic participation shows that despite progress in these areas, about 31 percent of the gender gap still remains.
According to global statistics, about one-third of women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. In European countries that have made progress in gender equality, 30 percent of women and girls have experienced violence.
The situation of women in the Middle East is accompanied by particular challenges. In recent years, there has been progress in education, but their participation in the labor market has been low due to restrictive laws, limited job opportunities, and traditional roles in the family and society. They still often face problems such as restrictions on individual freedoms, early marriage, domestic and social violence, and limited presence in political and economic arenas.
Unfortunately, with the return of the Taliban to Afghanistan, the situation of women has become far worse. After two decades of efforts and progress by Afghan women and girls in various fields, almost everything has been lost. Girls have been deprived of continuing their education, and severe social restrictions have greatly limited women’s presence in society.
The situation of women in Iran is a combination of legal restrictions, social pressures, and at the same time resistance and social change. After the revolutionary uprising “Woman, Life, Freedom,” the issue of women’s rights has become one of the most prominent social and political issues in Iranian society. Despite heavy government pressure to impose the hijab in public spaces, as a result of the struggle and continuous efforts of activists in this field, as well as the support of freedom-loving men and families, the government has in some cases been forced to retreat.
At the same time, women have a strong presence in some fields. A high percentage of university students are women. Despite progress in education and high levels of academic achievement, the employment situation of women has not changed significantly. In recent years, women’s presence in fields such as art, cinema, civil activities, media, and sports has increased. However, traditions and patriarchal structures still have influence in parts of society. Overall, women in Iran have made progress in terms of education and social presence, but in legal matters, individual freedoms, and political rights, they still face serious limitations.
In these days, we are witnessing war between the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. As global experience has shown, in wartime conditions women are the first victims of war. Their responsibilities increase significantly. Greater responsibility is imposed on them in caring for family and children. At the same time, the risk of violence and sexual abuse against them increases. Wars are never in the interest of the people, people who have no role in deciding to start wars and whose voices are not heard in ending them. We firmly oppose war and policies that endanger the lives and security of people and consider them contrary to the interests and demands of the people.
The experience of women’s movements in most parts of the world has shown that women’s liberation is not achieved through reforms or scattered protests. What can turn this struggle into a decisive force for serious change in this field is its conscious and broad organization and collective structuring.
While we firmly defend the unconditional equality of rights between women and men in all areas of life, we always consider ourselves committed to a serious and persistent struggle toward achieving a free and equal society. The freedom and equality of women is an inseparable part of the struggle for social justice, and without achieving gender equality, reaching a free and just society will not be possible. Full freedom and equality for women will be realized when the economic, social, and cultural structures that produce inequality are eliminated.
Long live the struggle for freedom and equality
Abroad Committee of the Communist Party of Iran
March 6, 2026
