President-elect Obama Should Engage Iranian Women Calling for Change

By all accounts, women played a pivotal role in the rise to prominence and election of Barack Obama. It is, therefore, fitting that women play a key role in helping him address one of his greatest foreign policy challenges - the growing threat from Islamic extremists, particularly the ayatollahs in Iran.

Muslims and non-Muslims alike are eager to see Mr. Obama chart a new course which contains the calamity commonly known as Islamic fundamentalism. Iran is unique as the first country where fundamentalists managed to attain power and institutionalize their medieval worldview. A monopolistic, suppressive, dogmatic, misogynous, and terrorist political regime strives to preserve and expand the velayat-e-faqih (absolute rule of the clergy). Gender distinction and discrimination against women is an essential social and legal element.

Iran's misogynist state imposes gender inequality with a series of laws that go so far as to legalize the rape and murder of women. There are widespread arrests, torture, flogging, and stoning of women. In his November 2008 report, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon expressed concern about "cases of stoning and public execution."

The ruling clerics' hatred of women is in part based on fear. Over 60% of Iran's 70 million population is under the age of thirty; nearly half are women. Additionally, in excess of 60% of university students are women. The paucity of professional and social opportunities and rampant discrimination fuel female dissent, creating a home-grown threat to the powers that be.

It should, of course, be emphasized that the Tehran regime's sadistic hostility to women, as well as the velayat-e faqih system itself, are diametrically opposed to Islam. The principle of equality; regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity, is among the pillars of Islamic belief. According to the genuine message of Islam, women must have equal participation in political leadership.

Tehran's regional influence has certainly been fueled by its unique ideological regimen, and the hesitant Western reaction to it. To advance it regional hegemony, the regime is hurtling full speed ahead to develop nuclear weapons. Its survival depends on continued perpetuation of domestic repression - particularly against women, and export of fundamentalism and terrorism.

Ignoring these fundamental features of Iran's theocracy, successive U.S. administrations sought to engage Iran with the hope of altering the regime's behavior. None, however, has truly engaged the Iranian people, or more specifically Iran's women and their undeniable movement for change.

Currently 3,500 members of the main Iranian opposition reside in Camp Ashraf in Iraq, where they have been recognized as "protected persons" under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Nearly 1,000 are women; many of them spent years in Iranian prisons and subjected to torture, others escaped the country after Tehran sought leaders of anti-government student demonstrations. Ashraf residents have been under the protection of the United States military since 2003. As Tehran ramps up pressure to extradite or disperse its primary opponents from Iraq, and in light of the approval of the SOFA agreement, the U.S. must continue its protection of Iranian dissidents to avoid a major humanitarian tragedy.

The least costly and most effective way to bring about change in Iran is to rely on the strength of the Iranian people, its women, and its organized resistance for democratic change.

In charting a new course, Mr. Obama's administration, U.S. interests, and indeed the cause of democracy in Iran will be well served if the lessons of history are heeded. As World War II loomed, Winston Churchill cautioned against appeasement of Hitler's regime. But many, including British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, advocated engagement with Germany. Ultimately the agreement Britain signed with Hitler allowed his expansionist machine vital time to prepare, before he launched his aggression in Europe.

As the world community increasingly realizes that Iran's rulers are illegitimate, it must also recognize the legitimacy of the democratic alternative. Coupled with increased international diplomacy, President-elect Obama should look to Iranian women and their organized democratic opposition as a partner in seeking the establishment of democracy in Iran and stability in the region.

Soona Samsami is the Executive Director of Women Freedom Forum. Until 2003, she was the US Representative of parliament-in-exile, the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

Comments

[AzadehTalebi]

I'd like to second Bita's comment. As the daughter of an Iranian immigrant, I have been educated about the horrors of this regime and the crimes against humanity it has committed both in its own country and around the world, as in Iraq and Palestine. Ms. Samsami has created a forum for discussion about the role of women in Iran and how their voices can be strengthened by fellow women in the US and worldwide. May her voice, and the voices of other strong women like Mrs. Rajavi be taken into account, not weighted more heavily than a man's, but equally...with liberty and justice for all.

[BehroozTalebi]

I am very glad that this lady's thoughts have been brought to the world's attention. It's really time to recognize what an uncivilized and brutal government we have in Iran. It is not a 21st century government, it's very primitive. The world should recognize the People's Mojahedin, the opposition of this government, which obviously has a lot of respect for women because over 50% of their force is run by women. Indeed, even Mrs. Rajavi, their president elect, is a woman.

Behrooz Talebi

[Bita]

As a daughter of Iranian immigrants I am proud of Ms. Samsami's article. The United States now has a new leader and Mr. Obama needs to understand and realize that millions of women are not only being denied rights of equality, but are being tortured on a daily basis. The decision about Iran is a simple one: Let the power of the Iranian people and the main opposition led by strong women and Ms. Rajavi bring democratic change.

[Yashar]

It's about time to see articles like Ms. Samsami's being published in US. Here's someone who realizes the power of the people, especially women in a Muslim society. I believe the only solution for fundamentalism in Iran and also in Muslim countries is the modern Muslim women under the leadership of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi.
President elect Obama will actually have an easy solution regarding fundamentalism and terrorism of mullahs ruling Iran. He will not need to waste time and energy negotiating or talking to Iranian leaders, nor will he spend billions of dollars and thousands of innocent lives after the negotiations fails, if he just pays more attention to the only reliable, democratic and popular opposition to Iranian regime and its leader Mrs. Rajavi and her third option: No war, no appeasement; just recognize, respect and help NCR and MEK.

[Belleana]

I was once more inspired by Ms. Samsami's article. I learned more about her perspective on Iran.
The positive energy Iranian women have will play a very important role for the CHANGE president -elect Obama chose as his slogan.
Indeed, president-elect Obama's hands are completely open for a change of policy against war, terror, and hatred to peace, security, and respect.
President-elect Obama should look to Iranian women and their organized democratic opposition as the only solution for stability in the region.

[mmd8]

Just as the writer said, what is being done to the women of Iran shows the fear that the government has of women. This is because the key to overthrowing the Iranian government will be the women of Iran. This is a very good article.

[zhaleh]

Horray for Ms. Samsami's article,
As an American-Iranian business woman living the "American dream", the plight of my Iranian sisters
casts an ever present shadow on my life. Mr. Obama comes in carrying the hearts and hopes of many
Americans for a better future and for "change".
Through supporting the right policies toward the urgently needed change of regime in Tehran, via empowerment of Iran's own established and viable opposition group led by an Iranian woman, Mr. Obama can easily become the herald of freedom and hope for not only Iran but also the entire region of middle east. And consequently US. can assume it's rightful position and once more lead the world in solving the terrible puzzle of growing global fundamentalism that is threatening all of us.

[Soolmaz]

That's so right. we need our voices as Iranian Americans supporting Ms. Rajavi's solutions heard here, and I believe that's what the article achieved.

[Mitra AZADEH]

Women of Iran are fighters and survivors. For the last 30 years they've fought for their basic human rights and they've survived. They've been arrested, tortured and executed for just being outspoken and asked for their rights. So Mr. President-elect Obama can count on Iranian women's will power. As Ms. Samsami pointed out, the Iranian resistance and women's movement are alive and very active. This is the main reason that Muslim fundamentalist regime of Iran brutally oppressed them. Therefore, Iranian women put up a strong resistance and their role models are 1000 women in Camp Ashraf that have been fighting against mullahs' regime in Iran. Mr. Obama should listen to the cry of Iranian women for freedom and regime change in Iran and he must act NOW.

[Ross2009]

Thank you Ms.Samsami. As problems are mounting in the Middle East, it is more critical than ever that President elect Obama seriously look at his options. One of the most effective options is to get rid of the major problem which is the government of Iran. By supporting Iranians and their main opposition organization, PMOI/MEK, right to resist against the major sponsor of terrorism, government of Iran. Ms. Samsami"s article covers it all.

[MajidSaatchi]

excellent article, I hope that thenew administration listens to people like this.

[Pooya]

As an Iranian-American, I agree with the author that President-elect Obama should look to Iranian women, and the Iranian opposition as a whole, and aid them to bring about a democratic change in Iran. Iranian people are hungry for freedom and Iran is ripe for change. It is imperative for the President-elect to spread his message of change and hope to Iran and help Iranians rid themselves of the repressive mullahs' regime.

[montaellis]

This article proves once again that there are people who oppose the ridiculous policies of Ahmadinejad and Islamic fundamentalists, yet they are never given the voice or the coverage they deserve. Its high time the media and politicians begin to support these voices.

[Ana-hita]

Yes its our job to help Ms. Samsami in making our voices louder in the media and for our politicians.

[baller90210]

What a great article, with a viewpoint rarely ever presented in the mainstream media. Its time that we supported those who want democracy and tolerance in islamic countries.

[ghalandar]

Ms Samsami,
I agree with everything you have stated in your article. It's about time someone has came out and addressed some truth in what's going on in our beloved country. We have been under the rule of Mullahs regime for more than 30 years and have hated every second of it. Now is a perfect time to make some changes as the United States has a president who promises changes in President-elect Barack Obama. I think it's time for our courageous and intelligent women to become leaders and influences in not only our society, but the entire country. We need to show people around the world who have a negative outlook on Iran how the people really are. We need to create a democracy so our people can have their freedoms and choices. It's time for our Iranian women to step up and show the world how beautiful the country and the citizens of Iran really are.

[yp64]

I'm glad that someone has taken the time to acknowledge the fact that Iranian women should play a part when dealing with Islamic extremists.