Women Under Theocracy

Independent World Report---IWR in collaboration with Swedish PEN Centre and ABF Stockholm on March 24 presents "Women under theocracy: A discussion," focusing on the oppression of women living under religious regimes. The event took place at the ABF House in Stockholm.

IWR a bimonthly print magazine edited by Bangladesh born talented journalist stationed in Swedish city Örebro, Tasneem Khalil, is a global briefing on human rights, international politics, peace and justice. This is an internationalist newsmagazine of independent human rights journalism, one that celebrates freedom and liberty. Launched in 2009, it highlights the forgotten and untold stories of the world.

Speakers in the discussion included Maryam Namazie and Kajsa Klein and Tasneem Khalil.

This event was moderated by Maria Modig – editorial adviser of Independent World Report and former chairperson, Writers in Prison Committee, Swedish PEN Centre.

Tasneem Khalil, editor and publisher of Independent World Report, gave a brief presentation of the magazine.

Maryam Namazie – rights activist and broadcaster based in the United Kingdom – is an authoritative commentator on Iran, cultural relativism, secularism, religion and political Islam. She is best known for her advocacy, lectures and articles on Iran, women’s rights, political Islam and secularism. She is associated with numerous organisations that include One Law for All, Council of Ex-Muslims, Iran Solidarity, Equal Rights Now, and the Third Camp against US militarism and Islamic terrorism.

Kajsa Klein – a researcher at the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication, Stockholm University – works and writes on the role of the Internet on democracy and human rights. Her presentation at the event will focus on how the Internet may aid women’s rights abuses in closed societies, and how a free flow of information may empower women to break free from oppression.

Independent World Report link: http://www.independentworldreport.com