Introduction

On October 6, global news made Iran and Iranian women headlines again. Again, an Iranian female activist won the Nobel Peace Prize. Narges Mohammadi, who has spent a long time in the prisons of the Islamic Republic of Iran since 2010, is the second Iranian woman to receive this great award.

 The head of the Nobel Committee begins the announcement with three very well-known words: “Woman Life Freedom.” She spoke these three words first in Farsi and then in English and then announced the name of the winner. This is a beautiful event at a time when there are concerns within the opposition that the women’s freedom movement may not have the necessary strength to reach its goal. Here we will have an analysis of the Woman Life Freedom” movement, its achievements, and its future.

 The Roots of “Woman Life Freedom” Movement

In the eighties, Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the P.K.K. Turkey, encouraged Kurdish men and women with these three words to have a different look at their liberation movement. He stated that in a society where women are not free, that society will not achieve democracy and freedom. Relying on this belief, the Kurdish women of Turkey and Syria became a strong force against ISIS, Bashar Assad, and Erdogan.

 The murder of Zhina Amini by the morality police forces in Tehran changed Iranian society. Zhina was a young Kurdish woman who, according to her brother, was visiting Tehran. Zhina’s mourning, who had to call her Mahsa in Farsi because the Kurds are not allowed to use their language, gave these three words a deeper meaning. Kurdish women shouted these three words, and suddenly the voice of Kurdish women became the voice of the entire nation. After Iran, it spread all over the world. Women and men inside Iran shouted these three words together, and the world heard. The young generation of girls and boys became one voice, and the hope of transitioning from this medieval tyranny shone in the hearts with these three words. Iran was united for the first time. Kurds, Baloch, Ler, Gilg and Mazi, Persians, Turks, and Arabs all shouted for freedom. Until now, the Iranians had never experienced such unity, and such tremors had never hit the Islamic Republic.

 The recent movement in Iran is notable for its emphasis on women’s leadership. Although women have historically played crucial roles in Iranian social and political movements, their contributions have often been overlooked. In this latest movement, women have emerged as prominent leaders. Despite facing double oppression from men, both men and women have accepted and supported their struggle unconditionally. This movement has a unique nature, which has not been experienced anywhere else, yet it has been successful. Unlike previous movements, there was no need to create coherence, which has raised concerns among some individuals.

 The Unique Impact of the ‘Woman Life Freedom’ Manifesto

 Whether the phrase “woman life freedom” has the power to drive the movement forward can be answered in just two sentences: “woman life freedom” is much more than a slogan. It is a revolutionary manifesto that has opened a new chapter in history over the past 45 years and created a new paradigm, setting it apart from all the other manifestos guiding social-political movements in our region.

Historically, men have been at the forefront of most social and political movements, even though women have fought alongside them, not just in Iran but throughout the region. Unfortunately, historians have often overlooked the critical roles women have played in these struggles, likely due to patriarchal biases. After achieving victory, women are typically relegated to domestic roles, while men take on leadership positions. This pattern has also led to the marginalization of many ethnic groups, ultimately reinforcing another form of authoritarian patriarchy.

 The “Woman Life Freedom” manifesto has significantly impacted the movement, as it has served as a unifying point for people of diverse ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and both men and women. This inclusivity sets it apart from any previous movement in Iranian history. However, some critics remain skeptical about the manifesto despite its groundbreaking characteristics. Some argue that it lacks substance, while others prefer traditional approaches. They believe that focusing on a feminist slogan could lead the movement to a dead end and offer various reasons for their skepticism.

The phrase “Woman Life Freedom” might seem like a simple slogan, but if we view it as a manifesto, its meaning becomes more significant. This new perspective suggests that it offers a fresh approach towards liberating society from oppressive rule. It’s an inclusive movement that represents everyone who is marginalized and faces additional oppression, not just females. The term ‘Zhen’ in the Kurdish language includes all individuals who face oppression compared to men. ‘Life’ signifies the right to exist for all members of society, including animals, and emphasizes that everyone’s successes, failures, joys, and sorrows are equally important. ‘Freedom’ stands for the absence of domination in society and includes freedom of speech, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It implies the right to choose for each individual in society without domination. In short, this manifesto offers a comprehensive framework that deserves a closer look. It has the potential to serve as a guiding principle in our ongoing struggle for liberation from religious tyranny.

 It is widely acknowledged by the global community that the women’s movement is at the center of the fight for human rights and freedom in Iran. This was highlighted in the speech of the Nobel Committee Chairwoman who began by referencing the “Woman Life Freedom” manifesto, and the Nobel Prize awarded to a female Iranian leader in the human rights movement further confirmed this focus. It is important to note that this emphasis on women’s role is not meant to undermine the importance of men in this movement.

Despite numerous uprisings against tyranny and oppression, we have failed to achieve lasting change. In contrast, the Iranian women’s movement has demonstrated remarkable consistency over the past 45 years, launched just three weeks after the Islamic Revolution and never retreating. Over the past year, the movement has become even more united, both within Iran and among expatriates. This unity has led to significant accomplishments, such as drafting a women’s bill for Iran’s secular constitution. The movement has garnered two Nobel Peace Prizes and numerous other human rights awards.

Historically, progressive women urged constitutionalist men 120 years ago to let them run the country for 40 days to demonstrate their capabilities. Today, we argue that without women in positions of power, we cannot break the cycle of tyranny. Some men have long shared this belief. Fereydoun Moshiri’s poem, declaring that the future liberator of Iran will be a woman, serves as a testament to this. Now, one such female liberator has even won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Conclusion

Iranian women have once again been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, making it their second such honor, along with hundreds of other human rights awards. The “Woman Life Freedom” movement, originating from the Kurdish movement for independence and freedom, has earned this prestigious prize for its unique manifesto. This manifesto is different from others and deserves our trust. To break free from the cycle of tyranny, we need to have faith in the women leading this transformative movement and the manifesto they have created.