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Iran women's rights defenders

Women demonstrating for equal rights in Daneshjoo Park, Tehran, on International Women's Day, 8 March 2006. © Arash Ashoorinia, www.kosoof.com

Women in Iran are discriminated against by law. Evidence given by a woman in court is considered only worth half that given by a man. A girl under the age of 13 can be forced to marry a much older man if her father permits it. They do not have equal rights with men in:

  • marriage
  • divorce
  • child custody 
  • inheritance

Act now for the Campaign for Equality

Launched in 2006, the Campaign for Equality aims to collect one million signatures of Iranian nationals to a petition demanding an end to legal discrimination against women.

The government has persistently harassed the group and made several arrests of those who have taken part in peaceful demonstrations or gathered signatures. Act now to stop the persecution:

So far 29,738 people have signed this petition both online and offline. Read some of the solidarity messages people have left on the petition

Take further action 

Alieh Eghdam DoustAlieh Eghdam Doust is in prison for her part in a lawful, civil action. Sign the online petition for her release

 Ronak SafarzadehRonak Safarzadeh, a member of the Campaign for Equality has been sentenced to six years in prison for her peaceful activities. Act now

Good news

Hana Abdi Campaign for Equality activist released Hana Abdi has been released having served a reduced sentence of 18 months in exile. She is going to leave Tabriz for her home town Sanandaj. Find out more about Hana Abdi's case


Mansour Ossanlu © ITFSupport from Iranian trade unionists The Iranian Women's Campaign for Equality (CfE) is widely supported by Iranian trade unions. The Trade Union Congress has adopted CfE as their international campaign but Iranian authorities continue to harass rights defenders. Find out more

Report: Defying repression

In solidarity with the efforts of Iranian women's rights defenders to achieve equality before the law and to highlight the repression that they are facing for their peaceful activities, we have produced the report Iran: Women's rights defenders defy repression.