In Iran, if a woman chooses to join the fight for women's rights, she is putting herself in grave danger. In a country where the popular notion is that female activism is a threat to the nation, an activist can be punished with jail time or lashes. Recently, three women in Iran were sentenced to lashings and jail sentences for participating in a peaceful women's rights rally. Conservatives reject the belief that Iran discriminates against women, and maintain that they live their lives in accordance with "God's divine law." The three women were charged with taking part in an illegal gathering and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security, disruption of public order and refusal to follow police orders.

I can't imagine living in a country that won't let me peacefully rally for a better society. I've heard haters claim that feminism isn't necessary anymore because we already got everything we want ("everything" essentially meaning the right to vote), but I highly doubt these people are remotely informed of the appalling situations of women abroad. For God's sake, these women are going to be stripped, tied down, and whipped repeatedly... for speaking their mind.

As part of Take Action Tuesday, I want all of you to consider doing something to help the situation of the women in Iran. The Women's Forum Against Fundamentalism in Iran has a list of things you can do, people you can write to, petitions you can sign, to help stop the mistreatment of women in Iran. Here's a few other websites that can offer you information about this situation as well:

• Women Living Under Muslim Laws




• Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organization




• National Committee of Women for a Democratic Iran