Hivos news

Shadi Sadr

Shadi Sadr is a lawyer, journalist and human rights activist and has been fighting for women’s rights in Iran for years. As a lawyer she defended women who were sentenced to death by stoning, human rights activists and lawyers who were prosecuted by the Iranian government for their beliefs and points of view. She is also director and founder of Raahi. This organization provided legal advice to women about the possibilities of the Iranian legal system concerning amongst others divorce, child custody and domestic violence. The Dutch development organization HIVOS supported Raahi from 2004 until the organization was closed down by the Iranian authorities in 2007. Shadi Sadr is arrested and detained for questioning without clear charges several times. This intimidation by the Iranian government has not prevented Sadr to continue her fight for women's rights in Iran.

Discrimination against women in Iran

Discriminatory laws on divorce and custody, stoning of women, the right to polygamy for men, child marriages; these are just a few examples of discrimination against women in Iran. These are the reasons why so many Iranian men and women are fighting for equal rights. Activists campaigning for the rights of women in Iran are actively prosecuted, imprisoned and intimidated. The granting of the Tulip Award to an Iranian women's rights defender is a recognition for the struggle of all men and women in Iran fighting for equal rights.

Extraordinary courage

WLUML and Hivos have decided to nominate Shadi Shadr for the Tulip Award in 2009. Shadr is also a council member, an active networker and part of the advisory board of Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML). The granting of the Tulip Award to Sadr is a recognition of her exceptional courage and decisiveness. It will support her in her work and contribute to her personal safety. The award is also a boost for all those activists who protested peacefully for democracy after the electoral fraud in Iran and are now mercilessly prosecuted by the Iranian government. Hivos hopes that all oppressed and marginalized women worldwide take heart from the granting of this prestigious award to Sadr and continue fighting for equal rights.

A fair society

Hivos supports civil society organizations, human rights activists and several social movements. According to Hivos a balanced, equitable and sustainable development of a country is only possible if all social groups can influence decision making processes.