Women’s Leadership for Social Change

This session examines how women in conflict-affected and authoritarian societies—particularly Iran and Afghanistan—are leading transformative efforts for social change. Despite repression, women are advancing education, grassroots organizing, and advocacy that challenge systemic inequality and authoritarian control.
Drawing from both research and lived experience, the session will highlight practical strategies for building leadership capacities, mobilizing collective action, and forging alliances across ethnic, political, and generational divides.

Key Themes
– Women Leading Under Restriction: The resilience of activists confronting surveillance, censorship, and violence; the rise of movements like Women, Life, Freedom.
– Transformative Leadership: What distinguishes women’s leadership—collaboration, inclusivity, persistence, and ethical vision.
– Education & Digital Empowerment: How online platforms, diaspora networks, and mentoring expand leadership in closed societies.
– Collective Action: Building solidarity across divides to achieve broader democratic change.
– Global Solidarity: How international actors can support women’s movements responsibly, strengthening local agency rather than imposing agendas.

Main Takeaways
– Women are already leading change—often at great personal risk.
– Leadership training works best when culturally relevant and accessible.
– Inclusive, intersectional coalitions are key to systemic transformation.
– Secular and democratic principles are central to women’s liberation.
– Iran and Afghanistan are global test cases for feminist solidarity.

Audience
Feminist scholars and practitioners, human rights advocates, educators, policymakers, diaspora groups, NGOs, and students.

Format
A panel discussion featuring activists, scholars, and educators, supported by visual storytelling and practical resource sharing.