Iran's Bold Initiative: A Global 'Pact of Mercy' for Women Empowerment

At the recent Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing, China, Iran’s Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, proposed a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing women’s roles in creating a more humane and sustainable future. This proposal, referred to as a “pact of mercy,” seeks to promote kindness across various sectors, including politics, economics, and science.

According to Behrouz-Azar, the pact will serve as a charter grounded in essential principles that include:

Protecting human dignity: Advocating for the respect and protection of human life.
Supporting children and women: Providing additional support during crises.
Promoting dialogue: Encouraging discussions over violence, exclusion, and sanctions.
Safeguarding the environment: Protecting the rights of all living entities, from plants and animals to water and soil.
Utilizing technology for good: Harnessing science and technology to benefit humanity rather than engaging in warfare or oppression.

Behrouz-Azar emphasized that we are living in an era where the rapid advancement of science and technology has dramatically reshaped our world. She noted, “We live in an era where science and technology have transformed the world; artificial intelligence is influencing decision-making, and robots have replaced humans.”

She further articulated the pressing issues of our time, highlighting how the Earth is becoming increasingly warmer, the wealth gap is widening, and feelings of loneliness are on the rise. Despite the promise of technological connectivity, she pointed out that this does not equate to closer personal relationships.

“Today, we have more information, but less peace,” she stated, reflecting on the negative ramifications of technology, which include hybrid warfare, the manipulation of public opinion, and the proliferation of digital hatred. Behrouz-Azar acknowledged that these challenges underscore a profound crisis in modern society, where many individuals face an internal void amidst external advancements.

The Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women took place on October 13 and 14, 2023, with the theme “One Shared Future: New and Accelerated Process for Women’s All-round Development.” This significant event was co-hosted by China and the United Nations, attracting a diverse group of leaders and officials, including heads of state, government leaders, and representatives from various international organizations.

During the meeting, participants engaged in discussions about global challenges such as:

Climate Change
Technological and Digital Transformation
War-Inflicted Crises

They also reviewed each country’s progress in empowering women, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address these pressing issues. On the sidelines of the conference, Behrouz-Azar held bilateral meetings with various leaders, including Sheng Yiqin, the President of the All-China Women’s Federation, and Makhkamova Zulayho Bakhriddinovna, the Chairperson of the Committee for Family and Women in Uzbekistan.

In her discussions with President Yiqin, Behrouz-Azar acknowledged the rich cultural heritage of both Iran and China, noting the pivotal role that women play in fostering social progress and maintaining family structures. Yiqin expressed China’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Iran, particularly in areas focused on women’s empowerment, aligning with the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Behrouz-Azar shared insights into the achievements of Iranian women, highlighting that the country has enacted and implemented numerous laws to support pregnant women and working mothers. She mentioned that Iran is actively strengthening vocational training infrastructures and boosting employment capacities to enable women to contribute more effectively to both national and international economies.

Additionally, Behrouz-Azar pointed out that the Iranian government is committed to promoting the export of women’s handicrafts and expanding international markets for cultural products as vital measures to empower women in the country.

In her meeting with Bakhriddinovna, the two leaders discussed opportunities to expand collaboration in various areas, including vocational training, women’s employment, entrepreneurship, and handicrafts. Bakhriddinovna extended an invitation for Behrouz-Azar to visit Tashkent to formalize a memorandum of understanding focused on women’s issues.

This initiative is a testament to Iran’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and fostering international collaboration to address shared challenges. The call for a pact of mercy not only underscores the importance of kindness in global governance but also highlights the critical role women play in shaping a sustainable future.