8 March has long been established as the day symbolizing the struggle for freedom, equality and women’s liberation. More than a hundred years ago, this day was announced as a day to highlight the struggle of millions to abolish suppression against women. It was named as International Women’s Day commemorating the struggle of women workers in New York. A day to declare that the international movement for women’s liberation goes further than fighting the obvious discrimination and inequality
. It questions and challenges the core of misogynous ideology resulting from capitalism.
The strength of this movement during the 20th century was such that the International Socialist movement of women became recognized as the International Women’s Day even by those currents critical of Marxism. Today, this day is celebrated in most countries. In major corners of the world, this day is banned. The governments suppress even the mention of the day. For them, 8 March is tantamount to their fall and loss of profits. Despite all the threats and dangers, women’s liberation and the socialist and Marxist movements celebrate this day every year.
Today when capitalist crisis is deepening; when more than a billion people suffer complete starvation; when millions are in poverty and devastation even in the heart of bourgeois democracy; when religious and political Islam trample on existence and rights of women; when the rulers close their eyes to the violation of women’s rights under the name of “cultural relativism”; when political Islam has covered the society with a dark veil and tries to impose Gender apartheid on women and society, the importance of 8 March becomes ever more obvious.
The world is facing one of its most exciting and moving eras. 2011 is unforgettable. The struggles against onslaught of capitalism in Europe and despotic governments of suppression, dictatorship, poverty, exploitation, superstition, cultural backwardness and misogynous from Middle-East to North Africa are challenged. This 8 March will truly be unforgettable. 8 March must be turned into a day for freedom and equality of humanity.
Iran has become the centre of a resolute and organized struggle against misogyny and the rule of religious superstition. The women’s liberation movement in Iran is well aware that women cannot achieve their demands so long as
the Islamic Republic is in power. People want to overthrow the regime. They have to be organized to achieve their demands.
Women’s liberation movement in Iran is strong. The overthrow of the Islamic Republic of Iran not only provides the steps towards women’s liberation in Iran, it also opens doors for the liberation of women under the rule of Islam in the region.
People of the region are pushing aside nationalist, tribal and religious barriers and are uniting for freedom, equality and prosperity. The struggle for women’s liberation is at the top of the agenda. As Marx says: “the measure of freedom of the society is the freedom of women”. The real freedom and equality of women is truly our task. We have to organize and advance this movement. The political scenery of the region is constantly changing. One main aspect of this change must be women’s freedom and equality, dissolution of misogynous religious and cultural superstitions against women, establishment of equal rights for women and secularism as the prerequisite of women’s political freedom.
Worker-communism Unity Party struggles for unconditional freedom and equality of women. Worker-communist movement has always been in the forefront of the radical struggle for women’s equality. Join us to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran and establish a better world.
Let us all chant: “Down with this misogynous rule”, “We don’t want this regime” “We don’t want Islamic hijab” “No to women’s oppression”.
Long Live 8 March, International Women’s Day!