Israel Bonds in France recently hosted a captivating event featuring Mona Jafarian, President of the Azadi Women’s Association. Held on Wednesday, 11 December, the gathering took place at the elegant home of our friend Rebecca J. on the prestigious Avenue Montaigne. We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Rebecca for her generous hospitality.

Organised by the Women’s Division, the event was hosted by its co-president, Catherine Lacrosnière.

Mona Jafarian, a Franco-Iranian activist, founded the Femme Azadi collective in 2022 following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. Her work aims to shed light on Iran’s struggle for democracy and freedom. Having witnessed her own family suffer violence at the hands of the Iranian regime and Mullahs, Mona is also a passionate advocate against the dangers of Islamism.

This event was in the works for several months with many security concerns to address. In the current climate, it was an important opportunity to explore the rapidly evolving events and dynamics in the Middle East.

Unsurprisingly, interest was overwhelming, and registration had to close quickly. 80 attendees gathered to hear Mona Jafarian’s compelling talk, led by Catherine Lacrosnière, a seasoned speaker in her own right.

Mona delved into her personal journey, her family’s experiences, and the genesis of her activism and commitment to her key initiatives in raising awareness and influencing policy through political lobbying. A highlight of the evening was her discussion of her book, Je suis iranienne (I Am Iranian), written to amplify the voices of the Iranian people through their individual stories.

The Q&A session was lively and insightful, with questions ranging from the impact of the Syrian crisis on Iran to broader regional implications. The evening concluded with a warm and engaging book signing.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Mona Jafarian for her presence and inspiring words, and we wish her continued success in her vital work and future projects.