PARIS -- A prominent Iranian poet and women's rights defender Simin Behbahani received the "Simone De Beauvoir Prize for Women's Freedom" in Paris on January 21.
The prize recognizes the work and actions of individuals, who contribute to the freedom of women around the world.
Behbahani told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that the prize will support and encourage the feminist movements in Iran. She represents Iran's One Million Signatures Campaign that aims at gathering public support against discriminatory laws.
The movement has been under increasing state pressure in Iran and many of its members have been detained or summoned to court.