Right vs Left in Secularist Movement:It is not sufficient to be a secularist

international | gender and sexuality | other press Saturday April 25, 2009 16:09 by Chicherin

Azar Majedi makes the argument that socialist ideas and demands must be brought into theSecularist Movement. Otherwise the dominant rightwing ideology will prevail. Full article at link.

The women’s rights movement is an integrated part of the general movement for equality and freedom. Every one here is well aware of the dismal situation of women in societies under the grip of religion; of the inherent misogyny of religion. Misogyny is an important part of the dominant ideology, so is religion. To fight misogyny and women’s inequality calls for a comprehensive and consistent struggle against the dominant ideology and the dominant political and economic order.

Women’s rights and socialist movements have fought against gender discrimination for over a century; it suffices to say that the 8th of March tradition is one century old. But still women are suffering from discrimination, degradation, insecurity, violence and even bondage in the 21st century. Why? Why has more than one century of struggle not resulted in women’s equality? This is a very pertinent question that we as women’s rights activists, freedom loving and equality seeking individuals and organisations must address. Of course there have been achievements in the west, but they are far from satisfactory.

This is the English translation of the speech made at the International secular conference in Paris on 3 April 2009.

Azar Majedi is the president of Organisation for Women’s Liberation - Iran, a member of executive committee of the European Feminist Initiative and a leader of the Worker-communism Unity Party, Iran.

azarmajedi@yahoo.com