Publication of Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani’s Book in English on the Occasion of 30th Anniversary of CEDAW

Feminist School :On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of Women’s Learning Partnership (WLP) and 30th Anniversary of CEDAW ,WLP in cooperation with Cultural Conversations, of the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University presented ; Women & the Politics of Change in the Middle East On October 27, 2009 .

Website Women in the Middle East are working to change public opinion, laws, and policies in order to build democratic and inclusive societies. a panel of activists from campaigns for justice in Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Bahrain shared their challenges and successes in demanding equal rights as citizens — in the family and in society, the speakers were Lina Abou Habib (Lebanon),Mahnaz Afkhami (Iran/USA),Wajeeha Al-Baharna (Bahrain),Asma Khader (Jordan),Rabéa Naciri (Morocco),Azar Nafisi (Iran/USA).

Their campaigns grew from local experience and spread across national and regional divisions. They include Iran’s One Million Signatures for reform of family laws; the Arab regional CEDAW campaign, Equality without Reservation; and the Claiming Equal Citizenship campaign for reform of nationality laws in the Middle East.

In this event also was launched the book ;Iranian Women’s One Million Signatures Campaign for Equality: The Inside Story, written by campaign co-founder Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani. The book details the history, strategies, and values of a movement that brought world attention to the injustice of gender apartheid in Iran.

Through door-to-door visits, impromptu street theatre, and use of alternative media, the campaign’s coordinated efforts, fraught with great risks and sacrifice, contributed to the solidarity that resulted in public protests against the contested presidential elections of June 2009.

Introduction:

Iranian Women’s One Million Signatures Campaign for Equality: The Inside Story

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Eloquently written by Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani, Iranian Women’s One Million Signatures Campaign for Equality: The Inside Story details the history, strategies, and values that brought together a diverse group of Iranian women, men, and rights activists for the well-known women’s equality campaign. It is a valuable case study of a new model for grassroots movements in the twenty-first century, applicable not only in societies ruled by autocratic governments or influenced by radical fundamentalism, but also in more open and tolerant societies that have yet to achieve full equality for women.

Campaign for Equality is the second volume in the WLP Translation Series which aims to increase the availability of feminist works produced in the Global South.

"Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani’s book is a moving account of the Iranian women’s courageous struggle for rights. The story is both inspirational and instructive. It provides a wonderfully readable guide to movement building in the 21st century."

Mary Robinson
President of Ireland 1990-1997 and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 1997- 2002

"...an inspiring narrative about ordinary women doing extraordinary things in their quest for justice. A tale that is unique to the circumstances of today’s Iran, yet applicable to the struggle for equality anywhere in the world."

Yakin Ertürk
Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women

"This story is a must-read for all those who cherish democracy and freedom...it testifies to the vitality, dynamism, and irrepressible spirit of the women [of Iran] who risked their lives and livelihoods for freedom."

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Read Reviews:

Iranian Women’s Voices/Mahnaz Afkhami

Iran’s Million Signatures Campaign: A Leading Voice for Democracy/ David Lowe