Perseverance of the Revolutionary Uprising: Woman, Life, Freedom

We, 23 independent Iranian women’s organizations, on the third anniversary of the state killing of Jina (Mahsa) Amini, honor her memory and that of thousands of other victims and affirm our unwavering commitment to the continuation of the revolutionary uprising: Woman, Life, Freedom.

This uprising was born from the fury and suffering of millions of women and men who have lived for years under the shadow of repression, discrimination, poverty, and injustice. They took to the streets to cry out for an end to this cycle of oppression.

This movement, led by women and interconnected with the struggles of oppressed social groups, nationalities, and ethnicities—from Kurdistan to Baluchistan, from Khuzestan to Azerbaijan—has infused new values into the broader Iranian struggle. These include liberation from compulsory hijab as a tool of control and domination over women after 47 years of relentless resistance, and the collective effort to end systematic repression, inequality, and injustice. The nationwide solidarity between marginalized and central regions has become one of its most powerful symbols.

Following the military attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran and the twelve-day war that resulted in massive human casualties and destruction of infrastructure, the Islamic Republic has intensified its repressive policies. It now seeks to silence popular movements and political dissidents with accusations such as “espionage” and “threats to national security.”

At the same time, authoritarian and right-wing forces, both inside and outside the country, who seek to revive outdated forms of tyranny, dependence, and discrimination, are trying to hijack the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. They aim to empty it of its emancipatory and progressive content, redefining it to serve their class and political interests.

We speak with a clear voice: The Woman, Life, Freedom uprising was not born to reproduce despotism or serve reactionary regional and global agendas. It arose to achieve social justice, socio-political equality, and the right to a free life.

This movement began with the courageous voices of Kurdish, Arab, Baluch, and Turkish women; it continued with the resistance of queers, migrants, and workers; and today, it expands through its connection with the struggles of women, child rights activists, environmental defenders, migrants, teachers, nurses, retirees, political prisoners, and millions of marginalized people.

This movement represents the convergence of diverse voices that see justice not as an abstract slogan, but as an urgent necessity for human life.

The Islamic Republic and all forces seeking to suppress, distort, or co-opt the Woman, Life, Freedom movement—ranging from religious authoritarian powers to exiled nationalist and neoliberal right-wing factions—are united in one goal: silencing the true voice of the people. Some do so through executions and repression, others through media distortion and narrative manipulation.

The erasure of women’s voices and their demand for liberation from patriarchal oppression—whether through cosmetic reformist calls for referenda or through nationalist propaganda and projects aligned with imperialist powers—is part of a broad, multi-layered agenda to eliminate the movement.

Despite relentless repression, the Woman, Life, Freedom movement has achieved vital and lasting accomplishments, including:

• Breaking the culture of fear and normalizing civil disobedience in daily life

• Turning compulsory hijab into a site of daily resistance against state control over women’s bodies, and extending this resistance to calls for regime change

• Strengthening solidarity among social, labor, and political movements in Iran

• Bridging the fight against gender discrimination with the fight against poverty, economic violence, and structural injustice

• Advancing the discourse of equality, social justice, and both individual and collective freedoms

On the third anniversary of this revolutionary uprising, we pay tribute to the fallen, and to the perseverance of thousands who have been arrested, tortured, or sentenced to death—including women journalists and civil activists. We emphasize that this movement requires active, organized, and multi-level support to survive and grow.

Today, defending the lives of political prisoners, supporting the “No Executions Tuesday” campaign, and fighting to abolish the death penalty are among the most urgent responsibilities of all who believe in freedom and equality. The life of Sharifeh Mohammadi and other death row prisoners is in grave danger. Silence is complicity.

Moreover, the violent deportation of Afghan migrants—including women, children, and vulnerable individuals—especially under Taliban rule, is part of the same oppressive logic of injustice and political exploitation that this movement seeks to dismantle. Solidarity with these marginalized groups is an inseparable part of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

In this spirit, we, 23 independent women’s organizations, declare our full support for the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising and its achievements. We believe the path forward lies in organizing, connecting grassroots protests, and maintaining national solidarity.

We also affirm our solidarity with women’s struggles in Sudan, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey, and other parts of the world against war, occupation, militarism, and patriarchy. We see this fight as part of a global vision for gender and social justice.

We stress the need for collective vigilance, strengthening networks of civil resistance, and continued interconnection of social movements to resist any attempts to distort, suppress, or co-opt this movement—now and in the future.

Woman, Life, Freedom

August 2025

Together for Women’s Health Foundation
Free Iranian Women’s Association – Italy
Dallas Iranian Women’s Association
Iranian-German Women’s Association in Cologne, Germany
Iranian Women’s Association of Parto
Iranian Women’s Association Montreal
MeToo Movement Iran
Iranian Circle of Women for International Networking (ICWIN)
Women for Sustainable Freedom and Equality
Iranian Women Activists in Exile – Berlin
IKERO Women’s Rights Organization
IWIN Iranian Women in Network
The Organization for Emancipation of Women
Everyday Feminism
Forum of Iranian Women in Vienna
Collective of Woman, Life, Freedom – Rome
Campaign to Stop Honor Killings
Gender Equality Committee of Solidarity of Iranian Republicans
Left Unity of Women
Zanan Group in Northern California
Orange County Women’s Study Group
Mannav LGBTQ Community – Sweden
Iranian Women’s Assembly in Hanover