If women strengthen and continue their presence on the front lines, they achieve victories one after another
I would say if women do not take part in a social movement of a nation, that movement will not gain any results. It will not succeed. If women take part in a movement with awareness and insight, that movement will accelerate. In this great wave of Islamic Awakening, women play an unparalleled role, and it is necessary for them to continue this role. It is women who prepare and encourage their husbands and children to step into the most dangerous arenas. We have clearly witnessed the significant role women played during the time we were fighting Pahlavi oppression in Iran and after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. If our women had not fought in the battlefields during the eight-year war which was imposed on us, if they had not been present in different national arenas, we would not have achieved victory during that difficult test. Our women helped us achieve victory. The mothers and wives of our martyrs and war veterans created an atmosphere with their patience, in which our youth and men were encouraged to have a determined presence. And this atmosphere spread to every part of the country. As a result, the general atmosphere of our country was filled with selflessness and self-sacrifice, and we achieved victory. This is the case today in the world of Islam--in Egypt, in Tunisia, in Libya, in Bahrain, in Yemen and in every other place. If women strengthen and continue their presence on the front lines, they achieve victories, one after another. There is no doubt in this regard.
Leader’s Speech to International Conference on Women and Islamic Awakening; July 11, 2012.
Our women must stay present on the national scene
It is not possible to measure the importance of women's role (in society). I admit that our magnanimous Imam was the first person who understood this role. There were many other things that he understood, but we failed to understand the role of the people. He understood the importance of the role that the people could play, and this was at a time when nobody else could understand the importance of such roles. There were certain luminaries who used to tell us, "Do you really think it is possible to make a big achievement by relying on the people?" They were so condescending that it sounded as if they were not speaking about human beings. But Imam Khomeini (r.a.) was different. He appreciated the role of the people. He discovered the potential of the people and he called on them to take action. He became an influential figure because he was sincere, and because his words were coming out of his enlightened and pure heart. Therefore, everybody stepped into the arena. When it was time to establish a committee, people from different social backgrounds signed up for the committee: students signed up; University professors signed up; seminarians signed up; high-level religious scholars signed up and ordinary people signed up. They all came and signed up for the committee. When it was time for the war, everybody went to the battlefield on Imam Khomeini's command. Towards the end of his life, when Imam Khomeini said everybody had a role to play in constructing the country, everybody entered the arena. The effect of his pioneering actions has continued into the present era. I believe, even today, whatever progress we make is because of Imam Khomeini. The people moved forward and the motivation is being passed down from generation to generation.
Imam Khomeini (r.a.) understood the importance in the role that women could play, otherwise there were certain luminaries, among our religious scholars, who had to be convinced it was necessary to let women take part in the demonstrations. They used to say that women should not take part in the demonstrations. Imam Khomeini's thought and determination served as a firm pillar that people used to rely on in order to stand up against such views, views which used to be presented by important centers. God bless his soul until the end of time.
In any case, the role of women is a unique role. It is necessary to preserve this role, because it has a future. The Revolution is only thirty-two years old. Even a human being is considered young at the age of thirty-two, let alone a revolution. This divine system must persist hundreds of years from now. It is very young. Our women must stay present on the national scene: this is necessary for our future. Therefore, we must make efforts regarding the issue of women, and try to preserve the potential that exists in our society in this regard. This is the first reason why we must discuss the issue of women.
Leader’s Speech at 3rd Strategic Thoughts Forum; January 4, 2012.
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