Women's Solidarity Association of Iran

The idea to form Women's Solidarity Association was materialized in late December 1992 in order to:

a) acquaint and link Iranian Muslim women with those of other countries; and

b) introduce Iranian Muslim women to the world. The idea was realized through the “Flowers of Bosnia” exhibition.

Objectives:

The Association was founded to realize the following goals:

1. To let the international women's organizations and their unions know about Iranian Muslim women and their cultural, social as well as economic development in the post Islamic Revolution period.
2. To establish contact with Foreign diplomats' spouses in Tehran, to shed light on Iran's culture and customs to carry out joint cultural and social activities, and to support women 5 rights in the world's deprived societies.
3. To allow the Iranian people, especially women know about other states' cultures, arts, societies, organizations and professional unions.
4. To form a joint, sincere relationship and cooperation among our women and other states, to expand women 5 organizations, and their presence in social, political, economic, and cultural arenas, to exchange experiences, and to strive to address women's issues in various places.
5. To show Iranian Muslim women's presence in all aspects of the society and their efforts to preserve Godly and Islamic values, while abiding by the code of Islamic dress and moral values.

Women can undoubtedly have an ever more active presence in the international cultural, social and political arenas through this solidarity and understanding. Women may implement their duties as half of the population by safeguarding their families, moral values and proper dress.

Performance:

The Women's Solidarity Association has carried out the following activities so far:

1. Publishing a set of photographs ( 52 pieces, 30x 40 size ) on Iranian women's activities which include various aspects of life in political, social, economic and cultural areas as well as sending them to 60 different states.
2. Writing and publishing a book about mothers titled: "Paradise Under their Feet" inspired by the Holy Prophet's (May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) teachings.

   It includes an introduction on Iran, women's status in the ancient times titled "Mythical goddess", women and Islam, women and revolution, women and elections women and families, women and education, women and employment, women and art, and women and sports. The book includes beautiful photographs. Pictures in this book are taken by well - known Iranian photographers such as: Javadian, Farnood, and Abedi. The book's designers are: Khosrowjerdi and Ajami. The book has 38 pages and has been printed in 5000 copies. It has been sent to numerous states.

3. Holding the “Flowers of Bosnia” exhibition, December 28-30, 1992 in Tehran to sympathize with and support the oppressed people of Bosnia and Herzegovina especially their women and children.

   The exhibition was held in a 3500 square meter area and enjoyed the active support of diplomat's spouses in Tehran. It included booths by 15 states and the support of 5 other states. The UNICEF, more than 10 governmental women's organizations as well as Iranian minorities such as Armenians and Assyrians took part in this exhibition. Some fifty artists displayed their works there. Traditional music was played every day. More than of 70,000 people visited the exhibition and helped the cause of the Bosnians by donating money and goods and purchasing the presented goods in the fair. Almost 50 million Rials, in-kind as well as a gold necklace were delivered to our Red Crescent Society to be used for the cause of the Bosnians.

4. Holding an Iranian women's handicrafts fair in Cyprus (February 9,1993, Hilton Hotel, Nicosia). It was attended by the local and foreign women's groups and Iranian residents. The Women's Solidarity Association sponsored a fair which included: rugs, ladies handbags, fabrics, wooden handicrafts, etc. A photo exhibition on women's status in Iran was also displayed. In April 1993, an exhibition was held in Cyprus by diplomatic spouses on Iranian women's handicrafts.
5. Organizing trips for diplomatic spouses in Tehran, to visit our historical and cultural sites such as the Golestan Palace, belonging to the Qajar dynasty.
6. Holding a cultural fair in Armenia (Irevan) to acquaint the Armenians with the Islamic Republic of Iran, due to their interest in our history and culture. It included a photo exhibit on Iranian women's various activities, as well as Iranian art and handicrafts.

   

   The fair was attended by the spouses of the President, Vice-President, Minister of Culture, the Environment Minister (the only female minister in the cabinet). It was addressed by heads of women's organizations and mother's organization. It was extensively covered by the local media.

7. The Women's Solidarity Association has undertaken to prepare and publish a book on Iranian rural women which should be ready soon.
8. Holding a Cooperation Seminar and Fair ( 8-11 Dec. 1993), on the occasion of Women's Week. It was held in a 6000 square meter area and attended by diplomats spouses of 25 countries, as well as Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and local women's groups and minorities.

   

   The fair aimed at: paying tribute to single-parent families led by women, and extending material support to those families. It included the following activities:

   Displaying Iran's and 25 other countries' cultures, customs, handicrafts and food, showing women 5 governmental and non-governmental organizations activities, exhibiting and selling some 170 paintings by contemporary artists and performing Iranian traditional music.

   

   This fair was visited by the Iranian President's spouse as well as Premier Benazir Bhutto and some other officials. An international seminar was also held on the last day on supporting women heads of families including a plenary session and two specialized committees.

   This seminar was attended by: the head of Imam Khomeini's Relief Committee, the head of Iran's Welfare Organization, Islamabad's Women's Organization's head, Turkmenistan's Labour and Employee Unions' head, and diplomats' spouses in Tehran. It was addressed by some of Iran's university faculty members and cultural personalities. A ten-article resolution was issued in conclusion.

   

9. Active participation and presentation of papers at national, regional and international meetings including:
   • World Conference on Population and Development in (Cairo Egypt) Sep.1994
   • Asia and pacific Meeting on Small Enterprises and Entrepreneurs for Rural Women Meeting of First Ladies (Malaysia) 2-5 Dec.1993
   • International Conference for Protection of Muslim Displaced Women in Sharjah (UAE)
   • Third Meeting of Women and Children of the World Islamic Organization of Relief and Dawa (Amman-Jordani) May 31-2 June 1995
   • Cooperation in first OIC symposium on Role of Women in Islamic Society. (April 1995). 10- Participation in Cultural and Propagation Exhibition in Iran and abroad such as the Book Fair, Tourist fair in Lebanon.
10. Holding a Seminar for Iranian women specialists and physicians for Support of Women and Children in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
11. Other activities:
12. Response to the British Members of Parliament's report
13. Meeting and deliberations with national and international NGOS in consultative status with the UN Commission on Human Rights.
14. Meeting with Cultural Deputy of UNESCO and other UNESCO officials on women's status in Iran and the world and future cooperation with UNESCO
15. Issuance of sympathy messages for women in Bosnia- Herzegovina.
16. Speech at the 51 st meeting of UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.
17. Participation in the Second International Meeting of Women NGOs on the Role of Women and Family in Human Development in Tehran (March 1995)