Iranian human rights activist dedicates award to women of Iran

Iranian women’s rights activist Parvin Ardalan was recently awarded the Olaf Palme award for human rights, but she was prevented by Iranian authorities from traveling to Sweden to collect it.

In an acceptance speech transmitted to the ceremony via video link she paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of activists throughout Iran who work tirelessly, and at great risk to themselves, to bring greater equality and freedom to the women of the region.

She specifically mentioned the Change for Equality campaign, which aims to collect one million signatures in support of greater women’s rights. More than fifty activists associated with the campaign have been arrested or threatened over the past eighteen months.

“I dedicate this award to all the women of my country,” she said. “To my mother, to the mothers of prisoners of conscience, and to all the other mothers of my land, who while enduring, have taught us how to resist discrimination, so that we too can pass on these teachings to our children and to future generations.”

To read the full speech, click here.