Women of the Middle East Briefing: Understanding Iran
This timely webinar brought together leading voices including Iranian born: Roya Hakakian, Nazanin Afshin-Jam Mackay, and Shirin Taber, in conversation with moderator Stav Bar-Shany. Set against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Iran, the session offered a rare opportunity to hear directly from Iranian women whose lives and work are deeply shaped by the realities unfolding on the ground. Moving beyond traditional geopolitical analysis, the discussion centered on lived experience, highlighting the political, social, and human dimensions of the crisis through a women’s lens.
Across the conversation, a powerful and consistent thread emerged: the importance of elevating women’s voices to better understand both the depth of the current moment and the possibilities ahead. Speakers reflected on Iran’s long history of civic resistance, the complexity of the current situation, and the critical role of civil society, education, and women’s leadership in shaping a more pluralistic and inclusive future. While the realities discussed were often difficult, we heard about the grounded hope – a recognition that meaningful change is long and challenging, yet possible, and that women across the region continue to play a vital role in imagining and building what comes next.
