The Wilson Center’s Middle East Program is honored to host leading women’s rights advocate and former Minister for Women's Affairs in Iran Mahnaz Afkhami at the 2023 Haleh Esfandiari Forum. Afkhami launched her journey in activism more than four decades ago. In conversation with MEP Director Merissa Khurma, Afkhami will address the situation in Iran through her own experience as a woman rights activist, the most imminent challenges facing women today, and ways the international community can band together to support women and girls globally, but particularly in Iran where young girls and women are leading protests and calls for change.