Mahnaz Afkhami

Mahnaz Afkhami's achievements are remarkable not just for their breadth but for their timing. She became the first woman to serve as Minister of Women's Affairs in Iran, a historic first in a country where women's participation in government was extremely limited. Her leadership of the Women's Organization of Iran in the 1970s helped advance significant legal reforms for women, including changes to family law.Since her exile, she has built an international legacy. The Women's Learning Partnership, which she founded in 1993, has trained thousands of women leaders in over 20 countries, focusing on the Global South. Her work has been recognized by institutions like Georgetown University, which established a collection in her name and celebrated her in 2025. She continues to be a reference point for scholars and activists working on women's rights in the Middle East.