Big Ideas

When women resist authoritarianism — what's happening in Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar right now?

Apr 17, 2025
Farkondeh Akbari, an expert on Afghan women's rights, joins fellow researchers Isabella Aung, Jacqui True, and Rana Dadpour to discuss the fierce resistance of women against authoritarianism in Iran, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. They explore the inspiring #WomenLifeFreedom movement, the struggles of education for Afghan women, and the armed resistance emerging in Myanmar. The conversation highlights the challenges these women face, their resilience, and the urgent need for global support to amplify their voices in the fight for basic rights and freedoms.
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ANECDOTE

Afghan Women Silenced Overnight

  • Afghan women's rights collapsed within 24 hours as the Taliban retook power.
  • Restrictions now control even women's home visibility to erase their public existence.
INSIGHT

Women Threaten Authoritarian Control

  • Women's political empowerment directly threatens authoritarian regimes.
  • These regimes respond with targeted repression to suppress female activism.
ANECDOTE

Iranian Women Rebel and Suffer

  • Iran's Women Life Freedom movement arose after Masa Amini's death in custody.
  • Women face brutal repression including prison, torture, and death sentences for activism.
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