Statement on International Women’s Day 2025
Issued by Daryanaz Shirinkam, Communication Director of the International Centre for Human Rights (ICHR), and Ardeshir Zarezadeh, Executive Director of the ICHR
On this International Women’s Day, we stand united in the fight for freedom, justice, and dignity for women everywhere. The International Centre for Human Rights – Canada (ICHR) is deeply committed to confronting the systemic discrimination and human rights violations that women face across the globe—violations that strip away their basic human rights and jeopardize their very lives. Today, we not only reflect on the progress made, but we also call for immediate and sustained action to ensure that women’s rights are respected, protected, and promoted worldwide.
The Global Crisis of Discrimination and Human Trafficking
Women’s rights are under attack, and this is a stark reality that cannot be ignored. From violence, trafficking, and forced labor to the erosion of fundamental freedoms, women are being oppressed at alarming rates in many parts of the world. Human trafficking remains one of the most horrific and pervasive violations of women’s rights today. Women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labor, and servitude across borders and within countries. The plight of trafficked women, often silenced and denied basic rights, is a gross violation of human dignity that demands urgent action.
In Canada, while we consider ourselves a progressive nation, women are still subjected to discrimination and violence, including the tragic reality of human trafficking. Indigenous women and girls, in particular, face an alarmingly higher risk of being trafficked, marginalized, and subjected to systemic violence. Canada, though championing human rights, must accelerate its efforts to address these pressing issues within its borders, as we are still far from eliminating gender-based violence and trafficking.
A Global Call for Women’s Freedom and Justice
The plight of women in countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia exemplifies the urgency of our call to action. In Iran, women are imprisoned, tortured, and killed for demanding their right to basic freedoms, like showing their hair. The Woman, Life, Freedom movement represents the strength and courage of those fighting for their freedom, but the oppression they face continues to be brutal and relentless.
In Afghanistan, since the Taliban’s return to power, women have been stripped of their rights to education, employment, and basic freedoms. The future of Afghan women has been stolen by a regime that seeks to erase them from the public sphere. Pakistan continues to grapple with the tragic realities of honor killings, child marriages, and ingrained violence against women—structural issues that persist despite international condemnation.
Even in Saudi Arabia, where some reforms have been made, women remain under strict male guardianship laws that limit their freedoms and autonomy. Women like Loujain al-Hathloul, who demanded the right to drive, continue to face imprisonment and persecution simply for demanding equality.
This is not just a regional issue—this is a global crisis. Across the world, from the U.S. to Europe, women continue to face discrimination, gender-based violence, and systemic oppression. The fight for reproductive rights, workplace equality, and safety from violence is far from over in countries that claim to be progressive. The time for action is now.
The Need for Accelerated Action from the International Community
At the International Centre for Human Rights, we call for accelerated, immediate action to protect the rights of women everywhere. The world’s governments must stand firm in upholding human rights, especially when women are the targets of political and religious oppression. The international community—including the United Nations, the European Union, and nations like Canada—must take concrete steps to hold oppressive regimes accountable for their violations of women’s rights. We cannot afford to be silent or complacent.
The United Nations must increase pressure on countries that systematically violate the rights of women. The European Union must ensure that trade agreements and diplomatic relations are contingent on the respect of human rights, including women’s rights. Canada must also strengthen its commitment to eliminating trafficking, gender-based violence, and discrimination within its own borders, while championing the rights of women internationally.
Women everywhere are rising up—whether in the streets of Iran, Afghanistan, or Pakistan, or in the fight against exploitation in the form of human trafficking. But the consequences of their resistance are often steep. Many pay the price with their freedom, their dignity, and their lives. We must be their allies. We must use our platforms and our power to elevate their voices and demand change.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Global Solidarity
Women’s rights are not negotiable. They are human rights. And today, as we celebrate the progress we’ve made, we must also confront the hard truths and take decisive action to address the persistent violations and discrimination women face worldwide.
At the ICHR, we are committed to standing with the women fighting for freedom in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia—and with women everywhere who are denied their rights, their voices, and their futures. We call on Canada, the UN, and the international community to do more—much more—to protect women’s rights and hold perpetrators accountable.