Author: mahnazafkhami
Prologue
A lifetime advocate for the rights of women, Mahnaz Afkhami works with women activists across the world, especially in Muslim majority societies, to help women become leaders in their communities. She is Founder and President of Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP), Executive Director of Foundation for Iranian Studies, and former Minister…
Past & Present Board Positions
International Advisory Group, AWID: 1998-2000 Board of Trustees, Farah University for Women, Iran: 1976-1979 Board of Trustees, Foundation for Iranian Studies: 1996-Present Board of Trustees, Freer and Sackler Galleries: 2012-Present Advisory Board,The Global Fund for Women: 1998-2007 Steering Committee, Women Waging Peace Initiative, Women and Public Policy Program of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School…
PAAIA's 2019 Civic Engagement Forum: An Empowering and Successful First
Mahnaz Afkhami spoke at the inaugural Civic Engagement Forum, hosted by the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA). The forum, which launched PAAIA’s new Civic Engagement Initiative, featured panels on a variety of topics including advocacy, political campaigns, and running for office as an Iranian-American woman. “We heard from inspiring leaders in and outside…
Women Deliver 2019 Conference
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre East, 999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3C1, Canada Room 110 Description: Women Deliver is the world’s largest conference on gender equality and the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women. The conference incorporates keynote speeches, social enterprise pitches, workshops and fill festivals, among other interactive events. Notable speakers for…
Why did the Shah send the Constitution to the Cabinet? (in Persian)
In an interview conducted by Radio Farda, Mahnaz Afkhami speaks about her time as the Minister of Women’s Affairs in pre-revolutionary Iran, including the obstacles she faced in addressing women’s issues. Afkhami also corrects the misconception that the Shah was the one and only decision maker for the country, saying his ministers were truly powerful…
Feminist Advocacy, Family Law and Violence Against Women: Introduction
Early in my tenure as Secretary General at the Women’s Organization of Iran (WOI),[efn_note] The WOI was founded in 1966 by a 5,000-member assembly of Iranian women from diverse backgrounds and regions, gathered through consultation, brainstorming, and negotiation. Its mission was “to raise the cultural, social and economic knowledge of the women of Iran and…