A critical look at the widespread silence of prominent global and Iranian feminist activists (including Steinem and Mohammadi) in the face of the horrific Jeffrey Epstein sexual abuse case — highlighting the gap between proclaimed defense of women’s rights and lack of reaction to one of the greatest contemporary tragedies.
The controversial case of Jeffrey Epstein, whose extensive sexual abuse network plunged more than a thousand women and girls into disaster, remains one of the darkest chapters of recent history. Yet the **meaningful silence from many proclaimed defenders of women’s rights — internationally and in Iran — from Gloria Steinem to Narges Mohammadi, raises a serious question: have these activists truly listened to the voices of real victims, or have their declarations proved empty when confronted with a tangible crisis?
Epstein’s years of hidden, predatory activity — built on the exploitation of minors and women — remain only partially exposed despite limited revelations so far. Official reactions, where they have occurred, have mostly been confined to brief statements from some organizations and sporadic comments from officials; they have not matched the scale of this human crisis. This gap in responses — especially the broad silence from women’s rights activists both globally and domestically — reflects a deep divide between claim and practice, casting doubt on the real commitment of those who claim to champion justice and human rights.
This report examines that gap, the few reactions that have taken place, and underscores the need for sustained public pressure to ensure justice for survivors.
Limited Reactions: National Organization for Women and UK Officials
Despite the dominant silence, some reactions have emerged globally:
National Organization for Women (NOW)
The National Organization for Women (NOW), a longstanding U.S. nonprofit feminist organization rooted in the second wave of American feminism, issued a statement on September 8, 2025, expressing support for Epstein’s survivors and calling for the full release of all records related to the case. The organization praised the courage of women who came forward with their stories, bringing the fate of over 1,000 women and girls (many as young as 14) into the public eye. NOW emphasized that survivors deserve full justice and unconditional legal support.
In its statement, NOW also criticized congressional leaders and the president at the time for hindering transparency and failing to fulfill campaign promises, effectively protecting perpetrators. The group urged supporters to contact members of Congress, back legislative efforts, and sign petitions to pressure for legal enforcement and document disclosure. NOW also sought elimination of statutory limits on sex trafficking cases, improved training for police and prosecutors, and a deeper understanding of the importance of pursuing these crimes — stressing that collective action can help enforce justice and counter political cover-ups.
British Officials: Catalyst for Legal Reform
On February 15, 2026, The Guardian reported remarks by Jess Philips, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violent Crime, stating that the Epstein files should act as a catalyst for long-term legal reform. Philips argued that governments should use this moment to invest in preventative policies rather than just reactive measures, and ensure that perpetrators are held truly accountable. She called for stronger efforts so that “there is less likelihood of witnessing another Epstein” in Britain.
Yvette Cooper, UK Home Secretary, told BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that halving violence against women and girls over the next decade is a “priority and mission” for her government. She stressed that real focus must be on Epstein’s survivors and the work the government is doing to tackle violence.
Silence from Global and Iranian Activists: A Lack of Commitment During a Real Crisis
Despite the shocking scale of the Epstein case and a global call for justice, many high-profile feminist and human rights figures have remained silent on this disgraceful crisis.
At the global level, well-known feminists such as Gloria Steinem — a foundational figure in the American feminist movement — have not publicly addressed this specific case, even though she historically has spoken about sexual misconduct broadly. Sources on her comments relating directly to Epstein are not evident in recent reports or statements. Figures like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and others active in feminist discourse are also not on record for explicit reactions to the Epstein revelations in the context detailed here.
This inaction has limited opportunities to support survivors at a moment when public attention and solidarity could have significant impact — prompting serious questions about the credibility of these individuals as genuine defenders of women.
In Iran, the situation mirrors this global silence. Activists with lengthy histories of advocating for women’s and girls’ rights — including Narges Mohammadi (2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate), Shaparak Shajarizadeh, and Mehrangiz Kar — have yet to issue any public statement, whether via social media, essays, speeches, or official declarations, about the Epstein case. This absence of response in both Persian and English-language media underlines a stark gap between slogans and actual action.
Ultimately, this silence underscores more than anything the need for continuous, public, media, and global pressure to ensure accountability and genuine support for survivors of this tragedy.
From: Fars