She was Iran's women's minister before the 1979 revolution. Now she's watching protests in exile.

Author : Padraig Moran, CBC Television

In this interview with CBC Television, Mahnaz Afkhami shares her views on Iran, both before and after the Iranian Revolution of 1979. This interview occurred in the aftermath of the death of Mahsa Amini and at the beginning of the responding protests that rocked the country in late 2022. Afkhami also discusses her own background…

Why Iran’s former Minister of Women's Affairs thinks these protests are different

Author : Matt Galloway, CBC Television

In conversation with Matt Galloway, on CBC Television radio program The Current, Mahnaz Afkhami speaks about her time as Minister for Women’s Affairs of Iran. She also speaks about her childhood in Iran and the Iran she sees today. Afkhami speaks in depth about how she views current protests and how they differ from previous…

Mahnaz Afkhami was Iran's Minister for Women until the 1979 Islamic revolution and has never been able to return since (Spanish)

Author : Maria del Pilar Castillo, La Nación

Description: In an interview with La Nación, Mahnaz Afkhami speaks in depth about her time as the Secretary General of the Women’s Organization of Iran and as Iran’s first and only Minister for Women’s Affairs. Afkhami discusses Iran’s drive in the 1970s to focus on modernity and women’s rights. She also speaks about the Iranian…

Shirin Ebadi, Mahnaz Afkhami Honored in London Ceremony

Author : Nazanine Nouri, Kayhan Life

Mahnaz Afkhami was honored alongside Shirin Ebadi at the Royal United Services Institute in London for her lifelong work to promote women’s human rights. The event was hosted by Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security and featured a panel discussion on human rights in Iran. “Mahnaz Afkhami…

PAAIA's 2019 Civic Engagement Forum: An Empowering and Successful First

Author : The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA)

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…

Why did the Shah send the Constitution to the Cabinet? (in Persian)

Author : Radio Farda

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…