Mahnaz Afkhami (b.1941) is an Iranian-American women’s rights activist, author, and former government official, known for her advocacy of gender equality and human rights.
Born in Kerman, Iran, she studied English literature at the University of Colorado before becoming a professor at the National University of Iran. She was appointed Minister of Women’s Affairs (1976–78,) the first to hold this position in Iran. After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, she moved to the United States, continuing her activism in exile.
Afkhami founded and led international organizations, including the Women’s Learning Partnership and the Foundation for Iranian Studies. She has worked extensively on women’s leadership, legal rights, and political participation, collaborating with global institutions.
Her notable publications include Women in Exile (1994,) Faith and Freedom: Women’s Human Rights in the Muslim World (1995,) In the Eye of the Storm: Women and the Law in Iran (1994,) Leading to Choices: A Leadership Training Handbook for Women (2001,) Leading to Action: A Political Participation Handbook for Women (2010,) and Beyond Equality: A Manual for Human Rights Defenders (2018.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Mahnaz Afkhami
Women’s empowerment is intertwined with respect for human rights.
—Mahnaz Afkhami
Topics: Women
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