I was invited to Paris for the International Women’s Day conference — “Women’s Leadership: An Imperative for a Free Iran and Democratic Republic” — and honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect. I went because I needed it. I needed to fill my cup with strong women who had a voice and were using it and weren’t afraid. What I came back with shook me to my core. This episode is everything I learned, everything I felt, and everything I think you need to hear about Iran, the resistance, and why this is not just an Iran problem — it’s a global gender equality problem, and it affects every single one of us. * The Iranian Resistance is Led by a Woman Maryam Rajavi has led the democratic resistance movement for decades, chosen by Iranians across factions through a democratic vote. * The Regime’s Final Days The Iranian regime is on its last legs, publicly executing people — many under 25 — as it grows increasingly desperate. * The Third Option Beyond intervention (U.S./Israel bombing) and appeasement (paying the regime), the resistance offers a third path: letting Iranians topple the regime themselves for a free, secular, democratic society. * Maryam Rajavi’s 10-Point Plan A structured transition plan: when the regime falls, a 6-month temporary government takes over, followed by a fair, secular, democratic election — even if that means Rajavi herself doesn’t win. https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/maryam-rajavis-ten-point-plan-for-future-iran/ * Gender Equality is a Global Issue What’s happening in Iran is not just an Iran problem — it’s a global gender inequality problem that affects everyone. * Women Inspire Women Female leadership is imperative for a democratic future; women inspire and lead other women, and that’s when change is possible. * 00:00:00 - Opening: Being Born a Woman is an Act of Resistance I open with a powerful quote from the conference and set the stage for my Paris trip. * 00:00:49 - Why Iran Matters to Everyone I explain why I went to Paris and how Iran’s struggle connects to global gender inequality. * 00:01:27 - 47 Years of the Regime A breakdown of the Iranian regime’s brutal history — over a million killed, widespread oppression, and eerie similarities to other global situations. * 00:02:16 - Who is Maryam Rajavi? A personal and powerful description of Maryam Rajavi — her leadership, warmth, and decades of dedication to the resistance. * 00:03:11 - The Shah, the Regime, and What’s Happening Now Historical context: from the Shah to the regime takeover, and why the Shah’s son is now trying to reclaim power through manipulated narratives. * 00:04:56 - The Three Options: Intervention, Appeasement, or the Third Way I break down the geopolitical choices and make the case for supporting the resistance’s path to self-determination. * 00:06:22 - The Paris Conference: 37 Women Around the Table I describe the roundtable event, listing the extraordinary global leaders present — ministers, prime ministers, ambassadors, and professors. * 00:07:42 - Quotes That Shook Me to the Core Powerful quotes from the conference: “Women are not property.” “Freedom is never given.” “Fight beyond borders.” “Equality without exception.” * 00:10:00 - Maryam Rajavi’s 10-Point Plan Explained A clear breakdown of the transition plan: temporary government, 6-month timeline, and a commitment to democratic elections regardless of outcome. * 00:11:38 - The Sacrifice of the Resistance Personal stories of women who joined the resistance at 19, knowing it could mean death — and what that level of commitment means. * 00:12:16 - Female Leadership is Imperative Why women must lead this movement and every movement — and how women inspire other women to create change. * 00:13:43 - The Third Option & Spreading the Right Information A call to action: learn the truth, share it, and support the resistance’s right to self-determination without outside interference. * 00:16:15 - Closing: Channel Their Courage I wrap up with a call to channel the courage of these women in our own lives, share the podcast’s 22,000 download milestone, and thank Zahra, Zohlal, and Maryam Rajavi. KEY STATISTICS * • 47 Years — The Iranian regime has been in control of Iran for 47 years, causing widespread suffering and oppression. * • 1M+ People Killed — Over a million people have been killed under the regime’s rule. * • 37 Women Leaders — Women from around the world sat at the roundtable in Paris, including ministers, prime ministers, and ambassadors. * • 30 Years of Support — Professor Donna Hughes has been attending the resistance conference and supporting Maryam Rajavi for 30 years. * • 6 Months — The timeframe for the resistance’s temporary government before holding a free, secular, democratic election. What the Resistance Wants * A free, secular, and democratic Iran * Iranians toppling the regime themselves * A 6-month temporary government based on Rajavi’s 10-point plan * A fair democratic election open to all * Global support through spreading accurate information * Gender equality as a universal human right What the Resistance Rejects * U.S. or Israeli military intervention/bombing * Appeasement of the regime with money or deals * The Shah’s son reclaiming power * Manipulated narratives and propaganda * Outside forces deciding Iran’s future * Silence and inaction from the global community CALL TO ACTION * Learn About the Iranian Resistance Research Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI, and the 10-point plan so you can speak intelligently about Iran’s situation. * Spread Accurate Information Counter misinformation about the Shah’s son and the regime by sharing what the resistance actually stands for. * Contact Your Lawmakers Speak to your representatives about supporting the third option — not intervention, not appeasement, but backing the resistance’s path to self-determination. * Stand with Iranian Women Amplify the voices of women in the resistance on social media and in your communities. * Listen to the Upcoming Interviews I recorded 5 interviews at the Paris conference (including one with Linda Chavez) — tune in as they are released. * Like, Share & Subscribe Help grow the podcast (now at 22,000 downloads!) so more people can hear this message. RESOURCES & LINKS Official Organizations/Websites * National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) * Maryam Rajavi Official Website * Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) * European Lawyers Foundation * University of Rhode Island Gender & Women’s Studies * International Women’s Day Conference (Paris) Follow on Social Media * Maryam Rajavi (LinkedIn) * Maryam Rajavi (Instagram) * Maryam Rajavi (X/Twitter) * NCRI Women’s Committee (X/Twitter) * Maryam Rajavi (Instagram) * #FreeIran * #WomanLifeFreedom * #IranianResistance Topics to Research * Maryam Rajavi’s 10-Point Plan for a Democratic Iran * The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) * History of the Iranian Regime (1979–present) * Gender apartheid in Iran “We can and we must.” The women at this conference — ministers, prime ministers, professors, and resistance fighters — have spent years, even decades, standing tall for Iranian women at great personal and professional cost. Their courage is a call to action for all of us. If they can risk their reputations, careers, and lives, we can at least speak up, share the truth, and support the resistance. Support the Resistance Encourage sharing, engagement, or further action based on the episode. We are all Iranian. We are all one. Share This Episode | Subscribe to Podcast | Contact for Guest Info Thank you for tuning in. Share this information widely. Research the truth. We are all Iranian. We are all one. Get full access to What do we do next? at whatdowedonext.substack.com/subscribe
