National Report on Women

in the
Islamic Republic of Iran

Prepared by:
The National Committee Secretariat

Bureau of Women's Affairs
Office of the President of the Republic

Tehran, May 1995

OVERVIEW

The establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979 prepared the ground for the application of human-nurturing divine principles of Islam to enhance the status of women in society. On the other hand, the adoption of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women by the World Conference of the United Nations Decade of Women, which focused global attention on women's affairs, has been given due attention and review. Hence, based on this ensuing review, the Islamic Republic of Iran proffers new guidelines on women's development to be reviewed by international institutions. These guidelines are founded on the principles of the intrinsic equality of all men and women, women's tutorial guidance of human society, defining men's and women's social relations on the basis of ethical and human values upheld by Islam and finally, on the necessity for women's participation in decision-making process at all levels. The ultimate success of any social movement, particularly that of women, rests upon these principles.

At present, based on the indicators determined by the United Nations, the situation of Iranian women in areas under discussion is as follows:

A. Legal Instruments Supporting Women's Rights

It is worthy to note that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran places considerable emphasis on the importance of supporting women's rights in all dimensions and on the necessity of creating a healthy environment to secure women's progress and development in all moral and economic aspects. The Iranian Civil Code also supports the rights of women in different domains. Government and non-government organizations have explored existing legislation in depth and have presented proposals for appropriate amendments to laws to protect women's rights. It should be further mentioned that the main problem with the present laws lies in their application, and it is in this area that the Judiciary has been most helpful in pursuing judicial appointments that give careful attention to issues pertaining to women's rights. Moreover, since 1993, a number of women have been appointed as jurisconsults.

B. Sharing of Power and Decision-Making at All Levels

The present Islamic Consultative Assembly, the nation's Parliament, has ten women representatives out of the total number of 270. The number of female parliamentarians is now more than double compared with the previous Assembly.

At present, the President's Advisor on Women's Affairs is the highest position held by an Iranian woman. In addition, a number of ministerial counselors are women. Due to the increased emphasis of government authorities on integrating women's potentials in economic development, as well as the positive performance of various organizations in the promotion of women's advancement, the number of managerial positions occupied by women is growing rapidly.

Iran's present legislature has nine women representatives out of the total of 270 elected representatives. Although the ratio between women and men parliamentarians is small, there has been a notable increase in the number of women vying for office in recent elections compared with previous elections with the number of women serving in the legislature having more than doubled. Meanwhile, the presence of women in mid-managerial positions and their activities in the middle echelons of government organizations have increased markedly.

C. Mechanisms at All Levels to Promote the Advancement of Women

The number of organizations engaged in activities related to women's affairs has increased substantially in recent years and, at the present time, women's units are well-established in all ministries and government institutions. In addition, benefiting from the creation of more appropriate circumstances and increased government support which has facilitated the creation and registration of NGOs, the number of women's non-government organizations has also grown noticeably.

D. Access to Education

Analysis of trends in recent years indicates that women are rapidly overcoming the constraints which have hindered their education and the academic gap between men and women is consequently closing. However, at the present time, the illiteracy rate among women is higher, and school enrolment ratios still favor male students.

Many educational obstacles facing women have been removed and female secondary school graduates now have the opportunity to further pursue their education at the university level in the fields befitting their talents and abilities. With more available facilities and with the encouragement of social and religious authorities, there is a growing willingness on the part of parents to send their daughters to school. It is interesting to note that the academic performance of female students is, on the average, five percentage points higher than that of their male counterparts.

Commensurate with the growing educational needs of the country, the number of teachers has been increasing every year.

E. Health Services and Medical-Care Programs

In spite of the tremendous problems of the past fifteen years, Iran has shown continuous improvement in health indicators. Maternal mortality rate (per 100,000 live births) steadily decreased from 245 in 1976 to 54 in 1993. And, currently, 75% of the rural population and 60% of the urban population are directly covered by health and medical-care services. Meanwhile, the population growth rate decreased from 3.2% in 1984 to 2.3% in 1993. The rate further declined to 1.8% in 1994.

F. Women's Employment

The end of the war with Iraq allowed the government's full attention to be focused on economic planning and development. The ensuing economic prosperity has increased the number of employed women in different sectors. One specific trend in women's employment has been their increasing preference for professional jobs.

While official statistics on employment do not include rural women and housewives in the category of the economically-active population, rural women perform a significant function in income-generating activities at the household level.

Considering the achievements in the areas of progress mentioned, it can be concluded that the social position and the living conditions of women in the Islamic Republic of Iran have been continually improving and that women's moral and material progress has been satisfactory and, indeed, trends are all indicative of a bright future.

INTRODUCTION

Since the early 1980's, the issue of "women's affairs" has attracted fundamental international attention and legislation enacted at various levels has been directed at the promotion of women's participation in diverse fields and the removal of all existing discriminatory practices against them. On the other hand, the extent to which women play their constructive role in society is heavily dependent upon the prevailing socio-economic, political, educational and cultural conditions of each society. Equality, development and peace, in the order stated, were the main objectives of the women of the world in the Nairobi Conference, and the strategies adopted at the conference clearly stated the necessity of the United Nations pursuing the establishment of means to achieve these objectives. Nonetheless, documents of the recent session of the "Commission on the Status of Women" convened in New York in 1995, state that "the objectives of the strategies adopted at the Nairobi Conference for the Advancement of Women have not been achieved, and despite great efforts on the part of individual men and women, government and non-government organizations, obstructions continue to hinder women's development."

The definition of development as given by international organizations is not accurately reflective of the actual status and requirements of all nations. It is becoming increasingly clear that the current policies on development pursued by international authorities do not give due consideration to developing countries' inherent cultural values and structures. It is obvious, then, that with such an obscure perspective of development, the position of "women in development" becomes uncertain and laden with ambiguity.

In principle, "development" must be defined both in its moral and material dimensions, and "women in development" remains an impotent phrase if activities concerned with its materialization are not coupled with moral and ideological support from the nations in question or do not carry their full social and cultural weight.

The Islamic Republic of Iran observes and gives attention to international forums and legislative measures on women because they tend to promote women's status. From the viewpoint of Islam, women have innate dignity and bring sublime values to their society. In the Koran, great emphasis is placed on the equality of men and women and only piety distinguishes a person in the eyes of God, whether man or woman. Spiritual development, according to Islam, is the path to perfection and elevation of the human being. In the society of Islam, the true Muslim is one who unconditionally and willingly steps in the direction of attaining the status of "The Perfect Human Being."

Also from a materialistic point of view, the development of women has its own meaningful significance. The Muslim woman must have access to all social gifts of life and within the framework of law, she can participate in all social, economic and cultural activities. Influenced by the intellectual changes of the past fifteen years, Iranian women, now cherishing the revived values of Islam and empowered with moral excellence, are active in the various material aspects of life.

The following discussion delineates the real status of women and their role in society from the Islamic point of view.

A. Status of Women in Islam

According to Islam, existence, with all contrasts and differences, is a unified and interrelated divine system. Men and women are complementary to one another and both enjoy equal status. Therefore, equality between men and women is an inherent and assured fact. Differences defined in the progressive laws of Islam for men and women are based on roles played and responsibilities assumed by them. In fact, the rights and privileges specified for women in Islam arise from their natural and permanent requirements. Because of women's physical characteristics and their role in creation, some of the laws in Islam give special privileges to them. Seeing women and men equal in all aspects is, indeed, a discriminatory approach towards women and tends to violate some of their natural rights. Thus, it is best for women to participate in development with due consideration to their physical and spiritual needs.

Men and women, equally, should endeavour to fulfil their ideals through the advancement of knowledge, promotion of understanding, safeguarding of human integrity, enjoyment of the gifts of life, benefiting from individual and social freedoms and the creation of a better world to live in.

On the other hand, women's profound sense of compassion and deep emotions are of great significance in safeguarding morality and humanistic qualities in society, which are so crucial in the prevention of cruelty and atrocities that are a permanent threat to human survival. It is for these reasons that women enjoy special status in education. Women have the power to influence social values and, therefore, must strive to increase their potential in accordance with moral values. The educational influence of women goes far beyond the upbringing of their own children; it embraces the entire human society.

The Islamic government is committed to the provision of all necessary means, including appropriate legislation, to enhance women's scientific, educational, social and political capacities in order to enable women to have intellectual, logical and moral participation in the progress of society. During their presence in various activities, Islamic dress (hijab) is protection against the perpetration of abuse and cruelty against women. Obviously, one's behavior and the dress one wears is a reflection of one's beliefs and the set of values a person holds.

In summary, we conclude that Islam emphasizes equality and not unqualified similarity of treatment of men and women and it has foreseen a special status for women in order to protect their rights unequivocally.

B. The Role of Women in the Family

The great human society consists of smaller units called "the family" that is based on human love and understanding, not on carnal and other desires. Woman is the symbol of divine beauty. She emanates mercy and kindness and with the help of these serene qualities establishes a good, stable family. Therefore, the integrity of the family rests with the woman. As long as the basis of benevolence has not been formed between the members of the family, the greater human society will never be based on co-operation, mutual understanding and friendship. The crucial element that maintains forgiveness, kindness and sacrifice in the family is the mother, who strengthens the bonds between the family members and educates and trains the children in a healthy, united environment. Whoever disrupts and unravels these family bonds shall be deprived of divine benevolence.

I. REVIEW AND APPRAISAL OF WOMEN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

Prior to discussing the situation of women in Iran, it is necessary to give some information on the country's female population. According to the 1991 census, women constitute about 48% of the nation's population of 56 million. Official population surveys indicate that between 1976 and 1991, the population of women increased from 16 million to 27 million.

A. The Situation of Iranian Women in the Early 1980s

In compliance with the commands of the Holy Koran and following patterns set by Hazrat-e Zahra (SA) the Prophet's daughter and Hazrat-e Zeinab (SA) the Prophet's grand daughter, Iran's religious leaders continue to lay great emphasis on women's participation in social movements. The remarkable contribution of women in the 1970s to the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the continuation of their efforts during Iraq's aggression against Iran in the 1980s, exemplify women's significant role in social and political events. In these two decades, the presence of women in political scenes was tremendous, despite their lack of any previous experience in political activities. With the government's active support in the post-revolutionary period, women's participation in political affairs as well as their role in decision-making processes at different levels improved significantly.

Objectives and motives behind the women's movement during the Islamic Revolution lay far beyond any professional or specific demands. Women's endeavours in this period were the exemplification of a mass movement based on religious and social values. Their dynamic efforts and presence, in fact, produced profoundly positive changes in social, moral and cultural aspects of the Iranian society. From economic aspects, too, the last decade witnessed serious endeavours on the part of Iranian women in the attainment of self-sufficiency in research and manufacturing centres as well as the growth of a strong sense of independence, despite pressures exerted by economic sanctions and the imposed Iraqi war against our nation.

B. Changes in the National Situation of Women Since the Early 1980s

Considering the fact that in seven years of the last decade, Iran was embroiled in an imposed war and the nation had to face a concurrent economic embargo imposed by western countries, which in themselves caused unusual economic and political conditions, the people's vast participation in government policies and decisions became a major factor in safeguarding independence and creating self-sufficiency. Experience gained in these difficult years may be looked upon as a positive aspect of this period. It was with this experience that, despite economic downturns precipitated by the eight-year war, the Islamic Republic of Iran was able to carry out its reconstruction programs after the war and implement its first post-revolutionary development plan (1989/90-1993/94), officially referred to as the First Five-Year Economic, Social and Cultural Development Plan.

Iranian women in the 1980s, had successful accomplishments at three levels: relentless presence behind the front lines in preparatory and supportive tasks, participation in reconstruction after the war and active engagement in the implementation of the first post-revolutionary development plan.

Women's participation in various elections is indicative of their social and political activities of the 1980s. Their presence in the elections of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, both as electors and candidates grew steadily in the past decade. In the last presidential election in 1992, women constituted 44% of the entire body of voters.

Meanwhile, women's participation at executive and managerial levels has steadily increased, and key positions in planning and policy-making domains have been made available to women. 4.41% of general managers in Iran are women, and in important ministries like Health and Medical Education, Culture, and Higher Education, about 50% of the staff are women.

II. WOMEN IN THE CONSTITUTION OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

The preamble to the Constitution states: "Family is the fundamental unit of society and the focal point of human growth and elevation. Ideological and idealistic concurrence in the formation of the family, which is the major determinant of human progression and development, is a fundamental principle, and it is the responsibility of the Islamic government to facilitate the attainment of this objective. It is in the context of this definition of the family unit that woman ceases to be an object and merely a tool in the service of exploitation and propagation of consumerism; and while regaining her significant and worthy role of motherhood in bringing up children with ideological beliefs and attitudes, she, alongside men, pioneers and strives for achievement in the active fields of life. Consequently, she will assume greater responsibilities and attain greater respect from the view point of Islam."

Article 3, Section 14 of the Constitution places emphasis on equal treatment of men and women by law and states that "the Government is required to make every endeavour to secure all-embracing rights for men and women, create judiciary security for all and equality of all citizens before the law."

Article 10 of the Constitution states: "As family is the basic unit of Islamic society, all laws, regulations and programs must aim at facilitating its establishment and safeguarding its values. Relations within the family must rest upon Islamic laws and ethics."

Article 20 of the Constitution says: "All members of the nation, whether man or woman, shall receive equal protection of law and shall enjoy human, political, economic, social and cultural rights with due reference to and observance of the principles of Islam."

And finally, in Article 21 the Constitution stipulates: "The Government shall be responsible for the safeguarding of the rights of women in all respects in accordance with the principles of Islam, by taking the following measures:

1. Creation of a suitable environment to enhance the personality of woman and redemption of her good and material rights.

2. Protection of mothers, particularly in the duration of pregnancy and custody of children; and protection of children without guardians.

3. Creation of competent courts to preserve the continuity and survival of the family.

4. Implementation of a special insurance scheme for widows, elderly women and women without guardians.

5. Granting custody of children to qualified mothers to protect their interests in the absence of legal guardians.

According to the Constitution, men and women enjoy equal rights in employment, social security benefits and access to free education. Specific references are as follows:

Article 28: "Every person can choose the job that suits his or her liking, provided that such work does not violate Islamic values, public interests or any other person's rights. Government must, in accordance with society's needs for different professions, create employment opportunities for all citizens and establish equal conditions for securing jobs."

Article 29: "Benefiting from social security in retirement, unemployment, old age, invalidity, homelessness, incapacity, accidents, calamities, health services, medical care in the form of insurance, etc., is the right of every citizen, which must be provided by the Government via public revenues, people's participation and other means and sources. "

Article 30: "Government has the responsibility of providing free education for every one to the end of high school grade and extending free higher education to the point of covering the needs of all citizens.

III. Women and the Mass Media

The Iranian mass media have always made endeavours to reflect women's issues and to increase their knowledge on legal matters. Television, and particularly the radio, through a wide variety of programs, have evaluated and reported on the situation of women in Iranian society and have tried to promote women's understanding and knowledge of their social, political, economic and cultural rights.

Currently, of the 550 regular publications in Iran, ten publications belonging to women and specifically addressing women's issues are: Al-Mahjoobeh, Al-Tahereh, Zan-e Rouz, Payam-e Hajar, Shahed-e Banovan, Women, Neda, Payam-e Zan, Nesa, and Farzaneh. In general, these publications deal with different aspects of women's affairs and with subjects that are appropriate for different age groups with various educational backgrounds. Results of a recent survey show that 13 percent of Iranian journalists are female.

Women in Iran are actively involved as film and theatre directors and as cinema and stage actresses. They also play important roles in other arts.

IV. MECHANISMS AT ALL LEVELS PROMOTING THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

Directly following the establishment of the Islamic Republic administration, various government and non-government organizations were set up to promote multifaceted participation of women in scientific, political, social and cultural activities. It was after the appointment of a woman as the President's Adviser for Women's Affairs and the establishment of the Bureau of Women's Affairs in 1991 that the movement for women's advancement gathered momentum and resulted in the establishment of women's units in different government and non-government institutions.

Organizations currently engaged in activities relating to women's affairs are discussed below.

A. Women's Organizations in Government

1. Women's Social and Cultural Council

The Women's Social and Cultural Council (WSCC) was established as one of the satellite councils of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution (SCCR) in June 1987. This council is responsible for formulating policy guidelines on women's social and cultural requirements and co-ordinating activities to ensure achievement of the following objectives:

Drawing up necessary guidelines for the creation of suitable circumstances to enhance women's profile, reclaim their moral values and secure their rights and privileges based on the genuine principles of Islam.

Presenting policies designed to recognize, analyze and eradicate the influence of foreign cultural decadence and moral corruption, eliminate the remnants of erroneous beliefs which, in the name of religion, still persist in society, and remove all discriminatory and oppressive practices which have been historically imposed on women.

Devising schemes to strengthen family ties and values by facilitating marriage and establishing family relations on the basis of Islamic rights and ethics.

Planning programs to enrich women's leisure time through the provision of facilities in sports, education, recreation, arts and the mass media.

Drawing up plans to enhance women's knowledge by implementing literacy programs and surveying the requirements of women for training and higher education.

Investigating means for increasing women's participation in political, social, cultural and economic activities, and the removal of obstacles and barriers that impede their progress in such activities.

Designing programs to resolve the problems of homeless women and those who are without support.

Proposing policies to co-ordinate activities of all centres and organizations that are active in women's cultural and social work and, when necessary, submitting specific proposals to the SCCR for better co-ordination of such activities.

Proposing research and studies on crucial social and cultural issues confronting women to authorized persons and centres, and establishing co-ordination in research programs in social and cultural areas.

Preparing annual reports containing the results of regular studies and appraisal of the social and cultural situation of women.

Preparing the ground for the development of cultural relations with the revolutionary and social movements of women in other countries, particularly in the Muslim nations throughout the world.

The Women's Social and Cultural Council (WSCC) includes representatives from women of all classes, the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution, ministries, government organizations and revolutionary institutions. WSCC has nine specialized committees involved in the fields of planning, research, rights and family, general education, mobilization, health, socio-economic affairs, employment and international affairs.

WSCC has studied, verified and proposed a number of schemes to the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution for its approval. The proposals which have been ratified by the Supreme Council are as follows:

Removal of obstacles confronting female students in majoring in certain academic fields.

Creation of family assistance and advisory centres.

Establishment of an International Affairs Committee at WSCC.

Investigation of problems confronting women workers.

Survey of the position and status of women in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Declaration of Woman's Week and Mother's Day.

Stating the rights and responsibilities of married couples derived from the Civil Code in their marriage certificate.

Formation of general plans and policy guidelines for women's employment in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

2. Bureau of Women's Affairs at the President's Office

The Bureau of Women's Affairs (BWA), set up at the Office of the President in accordance with the Presidential Executive Order issued on 1 December 1991, is vested with the primary objective and responsibility to familiarize women with their human and Islamic rights and, within the framework of a well-co-ordinated system, facilitate their access to what they are legally entitled to in all aspects of life including cultural, social and economic matters. BWA constitutes three departments in the areas of planning, research, and domestic and foreign relations, with major functions as follows:

Presenting proposals for the enhancement of women's status in the planning of cultural and social projects at the national level and co-ordinating the implementation of projects which promote the advancement of women.

Directing the attention of researchers to the basic problems confronting women so as to concentrate national applied research activities in the direction of women's progress.

Identifying women researchers, planners and experts throughout the country in order to utilize their professional expertise in the planning and execution of co-ordinated research activities.

Collecting information and statistics on the economic, cultural and social positions of women in Iran and in the world for the establishment of a comprehensive data bank in order to facilitate and co-ordinate research on issues related to women.

Setting up a research council for the adoption of appropriate policy guidelines to co-ordinate and direct research activities concerned with women's progress.

Creating mutual ties with authorities in executive and judiciary institutions in order to exchange ideas on women's issues and remove obstacles hindering women employees' promotion.

Establishing connections with women's organizations involved in areas of arts, sciences and training.

Studying the social, economic and cultural situations of women in order to present proposals for the promotion of their progress.

Establishing social and cultural contact with Islamic and non-Islamic countries throughout the world.

Identifying and contacting international training, cultural and scientific institutions involved in research in areas of women's affairs and interests.

Establishing connections with international women's institutions and participating in conferences on women in order to present the true profile of the Muslim women of Iran to the world.

In addition to the activities of the three departments of planning, research and domestic and foreign relations, BWA's organizational structure embraces the following units:

BWA' s Unit at the Islamic Consultative Assembly

The establishment of BWA's unit at the nation's legislative branch brings women's legal demands and issues within close proximity to the law-making institution, which tends to expedite the progress of legislative procedures on matters concerning women, especially in areas of legal inadequacies.

Investigation and Problem-Analysis Unit

The primary activity of this unit is in-depth analyses of family, training, occupational and health-care problems of women.

Public Relations Unit

The main objectives of this unit are the establishment of communicative relations with the mass media, exchange of information, reflection of women's problems to the extent possible and presentation of women's true profile to the national mass media.

National Committee Secretariat of the Fourth World Conference on Women

The Islamic Republic of Iran's National Committee Secretariat of the Fourth World Conference on Women was established at the Presidential Office's Bureau of Women's Affairs in 1993 to prepare the ground for active participation by Iranian women at the great forum of the world's women in Beijing in September 1995. The nation's President, Mr. Rafsanjani, authorized his Advisor for Women's Affairs, Ms. Shahla Habibi, to head the National Committee Secretariat.

The Committee, which formally began operations in December 1993, has been active in the preparation of the National Report on Women in the Islamic Republic of Iran for presentation at the Beijing Conference, participation in international conferences, preparation of reports for various international sessions and gatherings, organization of seminars and national and international exhibitions and establishment of the Committee of National Experts for planning and co-ordination of proposed strategies for the development of women. In addition to the Committee's public sector co-ordinating body, the Non-government Organizations (NGOs) Co-ordinating Office which, in effect, organizes the non-governmental activities of the Committee, has been established within the Committee. This latter office, so far, has identified more than seventy women's political, scientific, cultural, religious minorities, charitable, etc., NGOs with which it has established close contacts.

Representatives and experts of the National Committee Secretariat have actively participated in all international and regional sessions related to the Fourth World Conference on Women. The National Committee Secretariat, so far, has prepared, in addition to the present report, a number of other reports including the paper "Review of Action Plans" submitted to the Regional Ministerial Session in Djakarta, translation of the Nairobi Documents into Persian, report on "Women's Role in the Mass Communications Media," and a paper presented at the Cairo Conference on "Women and Development."

The government and non-government units of the National Committee Secretariat have jointly organized the seminars and workshops listed below:

Workshop on Information Networks for Women, organized in collaboration with ESCAP.

First Seminar on Women and the Mass Media in Iran.

Exhibition on the Profile of Young Girls in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Seminar on Women's Non-government Organizations and Their Future Development.

Congress on the International Year of the Family.

Another achievement of the National Committee this year was the successful organization of the "International Conference on the Role of the Woman and Family in Human Development," which was convened in Tehran from 22 to 24 May, 1995. The conference was attended by 1,500 participants representing sixty government and non-government organizations from forty-five countries. Highlights of the conference included four roundtable discussions on "Women Refugees," "Women in Armed Conflicts," "Elimination of Discrimination Against Women" and "The Necessity for the Assembly of Muslim Women's Non-government Organizations." The conference, at its final session, issued one declaration and three documents for submission to the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women.

The first gathering on "Productivity and the Family" in Iran in May 1995, was a further achievement of the National Committee. "The Role of Women in Science, Industry and Technology" is the title of another seminar organized by the National Committee this year. In this seminar, a number of papers were presented on the parts women have played in the protection of the environment, agricultural production, economic development, cultural integration and world civilization. A letter of agreement has been signed between the National Committee and the Management and Productivity Studies Centre of Iran for allocation of scholarships to women working in executive organizations who wish to pursue their education at graduate and post-graduate levels in the fields offered.

3. Women's Units in Government Organizations

Immediately upon its creation in 1991, the Bureau of Women's Affairs demanded full representation at all executive organizations in the country. BWA's representatives in government offices and organizations are engaged in activities that are in line with BWA's general objectives. At present, there are forty Women's Units in various government institutions.

4. Women's Affairs Commission

The Women's Affairs Commission, with its central office in the Ministry of the Interior, has established branches in all provinces. Women's provincial commissions have been set up at the Social Councils of different provinces to facilitate the advancement of women, to identify their problems and to promote their participation in social and political activities throughout the country. The main objectives of Women's Affairs Commission and its provincial network are:

Systematic survey of the family condition and of the legal, educational and occupational status of women in order to identify problems hindering their progress.

Collection of statistics and other information on different aspects of women's lives and activities.

Creation of facilities to encourage women's participation in cultural, social, economic and artistic endeavours.

One notable achievement of the Women's Commission has been the establishment of cultural and social centres in Tehran and different provinces where women receive training in many fields at minimal cost. These centres have proven very effective in the advancement of women in society.

5. International Women's Bureau

This Bureau was created in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to co-ordinate the international activities of Iranian women. The experts from this Bureau participate actively in international meetings and are also charged with the co-ordination of international activities in the country.

6. Rural Women's Development and Extension Office

This Office was created in the Department of Extension of the Ministry of Agriculture in order to plan rural women's activities and to meet their needs for training programs. The purpose of this office is to help improve the economic and social situation of rural women through programs for increased awareness, practical technical training, creation of employment opportunities, and assistance in establishing their own special organizations as rural women. At the present time this Office has branches with the same name in each one of the provinces of the country. Some 160 women specialists are working in this field in Tehran and the provinces.

7. Rural Women's Co-operatives Office

This Office was set up in the Central Organization for Rural Co-operatives of the Ministry of Agriculture in order to support the establishment of co-operatives by rural women. The Office encourages group income-generating activities and the provision of credit to these co-operatives.

8. Women's Affairs Office in the Judiciary Branch

This office was initially set up as the representative of the Judiciary Branch in the Bureau of Women's Affairs of the Office of the President. It was later turned into an independent office in the Judiciary Branch with the objective of supporting women's cases in court.

9. Women's Sports Department

This Department addresses all issues dealing with women's sports at the national and international levels with the assistance of the other units of the Sports Organization of Iran.

B. Non-government Organizations

Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, a number of non-government women's organizations were instantaneously born and gradually evolved into various organizational structures, emerging as institutes, foundations, societies, groups, etc.

These non-government organizations (NGOs), which were stimulated by revolutionary fervour and nurtured by popular support and religious beliefs, gradually matured during the imposed war and finally developed into lasting and successful institutions.

A number of factors have been responsible for the growth and progressive trend of NGOs in Iran. Much of the NGOs' success has been due to the existence of suitable social circumstances; active women's urge for greater participation in political, social and cultural affairs in the framework of professional, non-governmental groups; family promote economic development following the war.

10. Imam Khomeini Relief Committee

In accordance with the Decree of 5 March 1979, issued by the late leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee was established to help the poverty-stricken segments of the Iranian population, particularly women lacking financial support and orphaned children. The Committee is currently offering assistance to 958,000 economically-depressed households throughout the country, consisting of 1.169 million men and 1.488 million women. Besides providing financial and material aid, the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee has been actively engaged in organizing vocational training courses for financially-depressed women, offering scholarships to needy students and implementing income-generating small-scale projects for deprived women. Currently, the Committee's various services are being provided by 8,000 social workers in different areas of the country.

Other forms of assistance provided by the Committee's fund for women covered by the program include:

Provision of free stationery, textbooks and clothing for schoolgirls.

Assisting female students in their efforts to obtain a college education.

Establishing dormitories for female students and providing women with facilities for further training through correspondence courses.

Setting up workshops to train women in small-industry professions.

Establishing new library facilities.

Organizing camps for schoolgirls and female university students on regional and national levels.

Providing capital and venues for women to set up private business establishments.

The accomplishments and undertakings of the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee in support of women are provided in Table 3 in the Appendix.

It should be noted that in spite of the Committee's access to public funds because of its size and the extensive success of its activities, from the standpoint of organizational structure, it is considered a non-government organization and enjoys considerable financial support through donations by charitable citizens.

Names, objectives and major activities of some women's non-government organizations operating in Iran are summarized in Table 2 in the Appendix.

VI. WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SITUATION

Iranian women have always participated actively in various economic activities. Rural women's economic endeavours are noticeable in different domains throughout Iran's agrarian society. In urban areas, too, women play important roles in all economic disciplines. Many of them enjoy financial independence and have a significant part in household financial affairs and contribute to their respective family's welfare and economic well-being.

In view of the existing social and economic conditions in rural areas, credit requirements of villagers, including rural women, are met through official, semi-official and informal institutions, each operating in its own special way depending on the scale of their operation. As an example, activities of the Agricultural Bank which is an official credit institution is discussed below.

Based on its regulations, the Agricultural Bank provides equal opportunities for men and women to apply for bank loans and credit. Rural women benefit by the Bank's credit facilities in two major ways as follows:

Women's Indirect Access to Credit Facilities

In the majority of cases in Iran, the household is headed by men who, as the household managers, can apply for loans on the behalf of all the economically active members of the family. The loans and credit obtained from the Agricultural Bank will be invested in the purchase of means and inputs of production which ultimately benefit women through increased productivity and higher household income generation.

Women's Direct Access to Credit Facilities

Women that are directly involved in agricultural production and own such farm inputs as land, water, dairy cattle, etc., can directly apply for loans from the Agricultural Bank of Iran. In fact, the Bank has provisions that, under equal conditions, give priority to women for obtaining loans and credit. According to recent published information, rural women constitute 15 percent of the total number of loan recipients of the Agricultural Bank.

One noticeable achievement in extending assistance to rural women is that according to a special scheme offered by the Agricultural Bank, rural women household heads who do not own farmland or lack any sizeable means of support can obtain low-interest mortgage-free loans for economic activities they are engaged in. In effect, this scheme turns women who would otherwise live on charity into economically productive entities that can promote production in rural areas.

Integration of credit, technical and advisory facilities of the Agricultural Bank and their availability to rural women in general and the homeless in particular, will create better conditions for improved income and lessen incentives for migration to urban areas.

Once again, it should be mentioned that rural women in Iran can own land, gardens, livestock, etc., and hence, are treated equally with men according to the laws governing ownership.

On the other hand, urban women's ownership does not meet any legal, cultural or social barriers, either. The latest information obtained from the Tehran Municipality's data bank system indicates that in April 1994, the number of women and men having registered real-estate ownership in Tehran were 71,164 and 577,251, respectively.

VII. WOMEN'S ACCESS TO EDUCATION, HEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT

A. Education

The status of women's education has improved considerably in the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite the fact that, historically, women had been deprived of education in Iran. Nonetheless, the concerted endeavours designed to improve women's access to education in recent years are being consummated and suitable facilities have been established to promote women's education in may fields.

Meanwhile, parents' support for their daughters' education and notable enthusiasm on the part of girls themselves to pursue their education have merged to produce desirable effects on the educational status of women in Iran. Consequently, statistical differences between the number of male and female students are on the decline. As mentioned previously, nation-wide academic performance of female students in Iran now stands 5 percent above that of the male students. Achievements of women at higher educational levels are also improving, and the number of female students and graduates in different fields has increased noticeably in recent years.

1. Literacy

Statistical analysis of literacy trends in 1976, 1986 and 1991 indicates that women have been advancing in their efforts to narrow the literacy gap with men. Before the Islamic Revolution, over 50 percent of the Iranian female population did not know how to read or write. In the post-revolutionary years, women have shown an increasing willingness to become literate. Nonetheless, the difference, though decreasing rapidly, still remains tangible.

According to the 1976 statistics, only 35.5 percent of the Iranian female population or 4.7 million were literate. In the same year, the men's literacy rate was 58.9 percent (8.2 million). The first post-revolutionary national census in 1986 indicated that women's literacy rate had climbed to the level of 52.1 percent and that 9.8 million women had become literate by that year. And, finally, the 1991 census showed that in that year, 67.1 percent of the total female population of over 6 years of age (14.9 million) were literate. The corresponding figure for the male population was 80.6 percent or 19.1 million.

2. Enrolment in Primary and Secondary School Levels and in Technical Schools

The number of students and enrolment ratio by gender for the primary, secondary and technical school levels for the four academic years 1976/77, 1986/87, 1991/92 and 1993/94 were as follows:

Primary Schools

(Table 9 in the Appendix)

Junior secondary schools

(Table 9 in the Appendix)

Senior secondary schools

(Table 9 in the Appendix)

Technical schools

3. Graduation in Primary and Secondary School Levels

Gender ratios between boys and girls finishing the primary and junior secondary school levels indicate the following trends in a period of 15 years:

Graduation from primary and secondary schools

4. Enrolment in Universities and Institutes of Higher Education

During the academic years 1988/89 to 1993/94, female students, on the average, constituted 30 percent of the total enrolment in universities and institutes of higher learning. Average breakdown of figures in different fields were as follows:

In academic year 1993/94, female students constituted the following enrolment gender ratios at various higher education levels

In the same year, the female student population at the university level showed the following breakdown, according to main fields of study:

Statistics on the enrolments of female students in universities in the academic years 1988/89-1993/94, indicate the following major changes in this Five-Year period.

In social sciences and basic sciences, the number of female students increased three-fold and six-fold, respectively, at the post-graduate and doctorate levels. In technical and engineering fields, increases were on the order of five-fold and twelve-fold, respectively. In agricultural and veterinary sciences, there was a ten-fold increase in the number of female students at the doctorate level. In medical sciences, women's enrolment doubled in this period, and in arts the increase was nearly a hundred percent.

5. Graduation in University Levels

In the academic year 1992/93, women constituted 31.5 percent of the total number of 59,194 students who received university degrees. Gender ratios of graduates, according to fields of study, were as follows:

A comparison between academic years 1987/88 and 1992/93 shows the following achievements in women's graduation from universities in the span of five years:

An increase of 119 percent in the number of graduates in social sciences and humanities.

A two-fold increase in graduates in basic sciences.

An increase of 230 percent in the number of graduates in agricultural and veterinary sciences

An increase of 70 percent in technical and engineering fields and medical sciences.

An increase of 246 percent in different fields of arts.

In summary, according to statistics presented in Table 15 in the Appendix, the number of women's graduating from universities and higher education institutions increased almost two-fold between 1987/88 and 1992/93.

6. Academics

The number of women staff members at universities almost doubled from academic years 1987/88 to 1992/93. Of the 30,262 academics serving on the staff of universities throughout the country in the first semester of 1992/93, about 18 percent were women. At present, 5.7 percent of professors, 16.5 percent of associate professors, 21.9 percent of assistant professors and 36.9 percent of university instructors are women. 2,220 women are staff members of faculties of medical sciences, which is 18 percent of the total.

7. Teachers

The number of men and women teaching in academic years 1976/77, 1986/87 and 1991/92 is shown in Table 12 in the Appendix. In the period under analysis, trends were as follows:

In addition to the figures mentioned above, there are a number of teachers who are paid on an hourly wage basis employed in different schools across the country. Of the 47,016 teachers who work on an hourly wage basis in academic year 1991/92 about two-thirds were women.

B. Health

Currently, over 75 percent of the rural population and 60 percent of the urban population of Iran are served by the established health network of the Ministry of Health and Medical Treatment and Education. According to the targets set in Iran's Second Five-Year Development Plan (1994/95 - 1998/99), by 1999, the entire rural population will be served by the national health network. The country's basic policies in health include the following priorities and principles:

Preventive measures are regarded as long-term investments.

Rural areas and remote corners are have priority in the allocation of medical resources.

Out-patient treatment is preferred to hospitalization.

General health care services have priority over specialized services.

1. Life Expectancy

As is the case with women in almost all parts of the world, Iranian women have a longer life expectancy than men. Women's life expectancy in Iran increased from 56.3 years in 1979 to 69 years in 1993. This trend is expected to continue because of expanding health and medical attention given to mothers and infants as a means of long-term planning and investment.

2. Gender Ratio

The population ratio between men and women in Iran has changed very little in the past fifteen years. Based on the latest census, the ratio was 106 men to 100 women in 1991.

3. Sex Differentials in Infant Mortality Rates

Due to the extensive health measures and training in the past fifteen years, infant mortality rates have decreased significantly in both sexes.Annual number of death of female infants under 1year (per 1000 live birth) has decreased from 96 in 1978 to 33 in 1993 and for male infants from 86 o 34.

4. Maternal Mortality Rates

Fifteen years ago, maternal mortality rates were very high, particularly in the rural community. The expansion of medical-care services in the past fifteen years has decreased maternal mortality rates significantly from the high figure of 245 per 100,000 live births in 1978 to the relatively low figure of 54 in 1993. Implementation of family planning programs for the control of population expansion has also done its part in decreasing the maternal mortality rate through lowering the number of births per woman during childbearing age.

5. Sex Differentials in the Handicapped

In 1986, there were 285,339 handicapped males and 167,751 handicapped females in Iran. The higher sex differential for men is mainly attributable to injuries suffered during the imposed war, although men's engagement in more hazardous jobs also contributes to this differential.

6. Women and HIV

Fortunately, Iran is one of the safest countries in the world in regard to the scourge of AIDS. Religious beliefs and deep-rooted traditions have been the strongest safeguards against the spread of AIDS in Iran. Strict measures and screening of donated blood and blood products by Iran's Blood Transfusion Organization, as well as training, the constitution of precautionary measures and low incidence of addiction to illegal intravenous drugs can be cited as other factors which have prevented the spread of AIDS in Iran.

In 1989, the first HIV positive woman was identified in Iran. From that date until the end of December 1993, 272 HIV positive cases were identified in 1.4 million persons tested for the virus. Of the total 272 HIV positive cases, 33 were women. Eight of these infected women have been affected by the disease, of whom, five have died. The first AIDS-related death of women in Iran was recorded in 1990.

7. Specific Health Measures for Women

Until the establishment of the primary health care network in Iran, mortality rates for mothers and children were very high due to lack of coverage by medical care services. However, since the creation of the medical care network in 1985, the situation of mothers and of children under five, as major vulnerable groups, has improved significantly.

At present, according to existing data, the child mortality rate is much lower than the level that existed before the expansion of the medical-care network, mothers and children immunization rates have increased notably, the percentage of women using contraceptives has gone up, and prenatal care is on the increase. The population growth rate declined from 3.2 percent in 1984 to 2.3 percent in 1993, and further decreased to 1.8 percent in 1994, which is an indicator of the consistently improving condition of women and mothers in regard to fewer births. Meanwhile, women's fertility rate, expressed in terms of number of births per woman, decreased from the high of 5.2 in 1984 to 4.6 in 1993 and to 3.6 in 1994.

8. Population Policy and Family Planning

Within a period of 90 years from 1904 to 1993, the population of Iran increased from about 10 million to over 60 million, which is reflective of the high population growth rates during this period. Nonetheless, the rates of population expansion were not constant during this time period. The highest growth rate was experienced between 1976 and 1986, when the annual growth rate reached 4 percent. Three major factors were responsible for this unprecedented growth rate:

Noticeable decrease in infant mortality rates, brought about by improved health care services, particularly control of diarrhea diseases in villages and remote areas of the country.

Laxity in family planning techniques and, at times, encouraging the birth of more children, factors which resulted in births per 1,000 to jump from 39 to 42.

Arrival of immigrants and refugees from neighboring countries, particularly from Afghanistan.

Toward the end of the imposed war, the harmful effects of unchecked population growth on economic development were deeply felt by the government. The subsequent establishment of the High Council on Population Control and the activities of the Council in adopting measures against population expansion finally brought the annual population growth rate down to about 2.3 percent in 1993, and further down to 1.8 percent in 1994, as already indicated. A number of factors have contributed to the relative success of programs for population control in Iran among which are the serious consideration of the issue by government authorities, women's willingness to use different methods of contraception and the availability of free government facilities and consulting services for all to pursue family planning.

9. Health and Medical Care

In 1992, there were 22,000 general practitioners and medical specialists, 3,600 pharmacists and 4,500 dentists in Iran. Currently, there are 12,220 health houses and 4,000 health care centres in urban and rural areas. About 16,000 Behvarzes, stationed at the health houses, offer primary health services to the community. Approximately 50 percent of the Behvarzes are female. (A Behvarz is a selected young man or woman who is a native of the district. After receiving practical and theoretical training for two years, he or she is employed by the Ministry of Health, and Medical Treatment and Education to serve at health houses established in his or her locality).

Planning for manpower development and training specialists are among the top priorities of the Ministry of Health and Medical Treatment and Education. The Ministry is giving particular attention to the training of women specialists in different medical fields, and as of 1993, not only are similar quotas being allocated to male and female students entering medical colleges, but also maximum quotas are considered for women specializing in the branches of medical sciences which deal with diseases and medical problems of women, such as obstetrics and gynecology.

Another health scheme developed is the selection of volunteers among married women who, after completing special training courses, will be responsible for the establishment of contact between an urban health care and medical treatment centre and 50 neighboring households. Among the specific responsibilities of these trained women volunteers are the supervision of the vaccination of the infants and children target groups, and education on family planning, nutrition and environmental hygiene. The scheme has been successfully implemented in south Tehran and is now being expanded throughout Iran. One special feature of the scheme is the use of women for providing health services.

10. Nutrition

One specific indicator of improved nutrition of pregnant women is that at present, 92 percent of the infants born today weigh over 2,500 grams at birth. A further indicator of improved child nutrition is the percentage of infants who are breast-fed feeding for a period of at least 12 months, which has increased from 65 percent in 1987 to 67 percent in 1993. Meanwhile, the percentage of children receiving supplemental food appropriate for their age has increased from 29 percent in 1987 to 56 percent at the present time.

There are a number of training, health and cultural programs to overcome women's nutritional problems. Checking the population growth through family planning an important scheme which has met with considerable success in Iran is bound to enhance women's nutrition directly and indirectly.

Increasing the production of iodine-supplemented salt, administration of medicated iodine injections, and identification of hyper-endemic regions are some of the current measures being implemented to correct iodine deficiency in women. Other schemes being implemented to enhance women's nutrition include training courses on nutrition, analysis of traditional and cultural practices in nutrition in different parts of the country and educational programs. In order to improve nutrition of schoolchildren, the Ministry of Education has recently started free nutrition programs in poverty-stricken areas.

11. Immunization

Immunization against six diseases which are controllable by vaccines has expanded considerably and currently 85 percent of the population is immunized against vaccine-controlled diseases through routine vaccination. Details on immunization are presented in Table 17 in the Appendix. Meanwhile, the successful campaign against polio which began in April 1994, has paved the way for the eradication of the disease in the next years.

C. Employment

1. Women's Economic Activity

According to the 1976 census, Iran's female population of 15 years and over was 9.2 million, of which, 1.2 million or 13.4 percent were economically active. The census of 1986 indicated the number of women in this age bracket had increased by 44 percent to 13.2 million, but that the number of economically active women had actually declined by 49,000. Most of the decrease was for women between 15 and 29 years of age, whereas the number of economically active women in the age bracket of 30 to 34 had in fact registered a considerable increase on the order of 56 percent (Table 20 in the Appendix). This decrease in the economic activity of younger women may be attributed to the following factors:

Women's greater desire and tendency for education.

Young women's desire to attend to their children's upbringing at home.

Economic downturn caused by the Iraqi- imposed war against Iran.

According to the 1991 census, the female population of 15 years and over was 15 million, of which, 1.488 million women constituted the economically active segment

2. Women's Employment

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while laying great emphasis on the woman's role as a mother and her significance in maintaining strong family bonds and affectionate relationships, considers women's employment and their social and economic activities to be very meaningful and conducive to social well-being.

The preamble to the Constitution states: "While retaining their significant and worthy role of motherhood in raising children with ideological beliefs and attitudes, women, alongside men, pioneer and strive for achievement in the active fields of life. Consequently, they will assume greater responsibilities and attain greater respect from the viewpoint of Islam."

The guidelines on women's employment in the Islamic Republic of Iran, reflected in the ratification of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, define supportive policies in the promotion of women's active participation in cultural, social and economic spheres.

The Labor Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran includes all provisions to ensure the international recommendations regarding women's employment. In addition, all labor rules and regulations are in conformity with the importance Islam assigns to the status of women in the family. Therefore, regulations are such that women engaged in different occupations can continue to assume their responsibilities within the family. And, in general, due consideration is given in the laws to the physical and moral requirements of women. Laws and regulations governing women's employment are discussed under "Existing Legal Instruments" of this report.

3. Employment by Occupation

From the 9.2 million women of 10 years of age and over in 1976, about one million or 11.1 percent had jobs. Corresponding population figures in the 1986 census were 13 million women of whom 903,000 or 6.8 percent were employed. According to findings of the 1991 census, the number of women who were 15 years old and over was 15 million, with 1.1 million or 7.7 percent reported as being employed.

Of the economically active female population in 1976, 13 percent were employed in professional, technical and scientific or research jobs. Women's employment in these occupations had increased to 32.8 percent by 1986 and in 1991, it was reported to have reached 39.7 percent, with 457,000 women being employed in the group of jobs mentioned. The percentage breakdown was as follows:

4. Employment by Economic Sector

Women employed in the services sector numbered 317,000 in 1976, 448,000 in 1986 and more than 650,000 in 1991. Thus, in the span of 15 years, i.e., from 1976 to 1991, 336,000 jobs were created for women in the services sector. The majority of jobs for women were in the sub-sector of general, social and private services, which collectively accounted for 92 percent of women's jobs in the services sector. Of the total number of jobs in this sub-sector in 1991, over 91 percent were held by urban women, with rural women holding merely 9 percent, or 55,000 jobs in the sub-sector mentioned.

The nature of women's occupations in the services sector, which includes health, medical care and education, is such that it can either accelerate or slow down trends of migration from villages to urban areas. Therefore, bringing balance and co-ordination of job opportunities in this sector for the urban and rural women of the country can be very instrumental in the discouragement and stabilization of migration into urban areas.

The number of women's jobs in the sector of agriculture, which includes the sub-sectors of farming, animal husbandry, forestry, fisheries and hunting, constituted 18.8 percent of total women's employment in 1976, 26.6 percent in 1986 and 13 percent in 1991. In fact, in the span of six years from 1986 to 1991, about 100,000 women lost their jobs in the agricultural sector; whereas, in the same period 639,000 women in rural areas had reached their employment age.

One possible reason cited for this employment downturn is more willingness on the part of rural parents in allowing their daughters to pursue an academic education. However, it would be profoundly against justification to accept the fact that of the 7.7 million rural women of employment age, only about 150,000 are hired in agricultural activities. One reason for the existing discrepancy is inadequate approaches used in population surveys which cause the presentation of erroneous information in census returns and subsequent incorrect analyses. Methods employed in surveys, for example, treat many rural women's occupations like rug weaving, cottage industries, handicraft production, etc., as mere household chores and responsibilities. However, improvements are underway. One notable example is the implementation of a carpet weavers' insurance scheme and other programs by the state Social Security Organization which will pave the way for rural women's recognition as economically-active citizens.

The number of women employed in the industrial sector, which includes mining, water, electricity, construction and manufacturing, was 652,000 in 1976. However, their employment in this sector dropped to 223,000 in 1986 and once again increased in 1991, reaching the figure of 303,000. Women's share of the total employment of this sector, which was 38 percent in 1976, dropped to 15 percent in 1991.

In summary, women's employment in Iran experienced a serious setback from 1976 to 1986, and while it had improved to some extent by 1991, women's employment did not reach the level it had achieved in 1976. A number of factors were responsible for this considerable downturn, the most important of which were as follows:

Economic recession, downturn in industrial production and lower capacity utilization rates, which were the direct consequence of a prolonged military conflict, deprived men and women alike from many employment opportunities.

Rapid urbanization and the increasing migration of villagers to towns and cities caused many active women in agriculture to cease their activities in farming, animal husbandry, rural handicrafts, etc., and become home-bound in urban areas. Iran's urban population which was 47 percent of the total in 1976, had climbed to 57 percent by 1991.

Increasing attention to academic education, which caused many young girls to abandon workshops, factories and farming in order to attend school.

Changes in the socio-economic fabric of the Iranian society after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, which caused a number of redundancies in jobs which were contrary to women's dignity and status.

5. Women's Occupational Status

A complete analysis of the occupational status of women in Iran shows that the majority of employed women are wage and salary earners. In 1991, about 60 percent of employed women in the country and 83.3 percent of employed women in urban areas were recipients of wages and monthly salaries. Self employment constitutes women's second largest vocational group. The ratio of self-employed women increased from 10.8 percent of total female employment in 1976 to 20.9 percent in 1991. Family employment without pay makes up the third largest job group for women. The ratio of family employment jobs decreased from 40.9 percent of women's total employment in 1976 to 12 percent in 1991. This sharp decrease can be attributed to changing life patterns and the effect of economic depression on small family businesses.

6. Women's Employment in the Public Sector

According to recent statistics, the number of public sector employees was 1.968 million in 1994, of which, 603,000 or about 31 percent were women. A total of 2,081,000 people were employed by the public sector in 1991, and the number of women employees in the public sector was 532,000 in that year. In the span of 10 years from 1981 to 1991, the number of women government employees had doubled. The substantial rise in the number of women public sector employees is an indicator of the importance the government places on the role of women in public sector institutions. Moreover, women are increasingly occupying more specialized positions in the public sector.

The two ministries of Education and Health with 43.8 percent and 40 percent, respectively, are the largest employers of women. In the ministries that are engaged in technical and industrial activities such as the Ministry of Mines and Metals, the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Oil, the number of women employees is small and, on average, less than 5 percent of their total work force. At present, 33.6 percent of women employed in the public sector possess college degrees and higher academic certificates. The corresponding figure was 19.5 percent in 1978.

7. Women's Employment in the Private Sector

Based on 1994 statistics, a total number of 3.540 million persons were employed in the private sector and covered by the State Social Security Organization. Of this number, 237,000 or 6.7 percent were women. Corresponding figures in 1979 and 1983 were 88,000 and 148,000, respectively.

8. Rural Women's Role in Production and the National Economy

Rural women in Iran, very much like their counterparts in many other countries of the world, play an active part in food production and the improvement of their respective household's economic conditions. Observations and reports by rural women extension agents indicate the increasing role of rural women in agricultural production of the country.

In Iran, women's share in agricultural labor is stated to be at 40 percent. This figure does not take into account their activities at the household level, including vegetable gardening, flower production, etc., which supplement the family income. In fact, some informal statistics refer to women's share in cultivation to the extent of 70 percent in rice, 90 percent in summer crops and vegetables, 50 percent in cotton and oil crops, and 30 percent in fruit harvesting.

Other rural women's activities that are economically important include handicraft production and carpet weaving. Women account for 70 percent of the nation's handicraft production, and about 88 percent of embroidery and carpet production in the country. Actually, the economic importance of rural women can be seen in the fact that agricultural products and rural handicrafts constitute 62 percent of the total non-oil exports of Iran.

After the imposed war, the establishment of the Bureau of Women's Affairs at the President's Office paved the way for the creation of women's units in different government organizations and initiated greater attention to women's issues in national economic development plans. In the past two years, a number of seminars, panel discussions and programs have been organized on the role of women in economic development. In 1993, the Rural Women's Development Office was established in the Ministry of Agriculture to co-ordinate and implement projects for the advancement of rural women. With the help of 160 women extension agents, the Rural Women's Development Office is actively co-ordinating requirements of rural women in areas of agricultural extension and education by organizing separate classes and courses in the various fields of agriculture, nutrition and environmental hygiene. This Office has recently undertaken the task of organizing rural

female youth clubs to occupy the free time of young female villagers in useful training, sports and other meaningful activities.

Meanwhile, the creation of the Rural Women's Co-operatives in the Ministry of Agriculture has proved very useful in improving rural women's managerial and decision-making capabilities in even remote and isolated villages throughout the country. The Rural Women's Planning and Study Group is another useful women's organization which has recently been set up in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Since 1985, the Ministry of Jihad-e Sazandegi (Construction) has been expanding various co-operatives at the village level, which attend to the requirements of rural women. Other schemes of this Ministry in villages include animal husbandry and vocational training courses, instruction in sanitary procedures and the establishment of extension houses and rural libraries.

Other public institutions involved in the promotion of rural activities are the State Welfare Organization, the Ministry of Health, the Literacy Campaign, the Ministry of Education and the Handicrafts Organization. The non-government organizations that are active in rural affairs include the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee, the Islamic Institute of Women and the Association of Women Supporters of the Environment. All of these public and non-government organizations are giving special attention to the requirements of rural Iranian women by the implementation of various projects in family planning, production, finance, etc.

Illiteracy rates in the rural female population steadily declined from 82.8 percent in 1976 to 45.8 percent in 1991. Nonetheless, illiteracy among rural women still remains high in comparison to rural men. The Literacy Campaign is currently making great endeavours to close the gap.

While the number of rural girls attending school has increased significantly in recent years, the total number is still below their respective population percentage share. This problem can be attributed to a number of socio-economic factors.

In areas of health and medical care, there have been noticeable improvements as a result of the expansion of the health-care services network which now covers 70 percent of the rural population in Iran.

Concerning the problem of unemployment in the rural community and the declining role of women in agricultural activities, especially at the planting phase, which is the result of increased mechanization, there have been several plans executed to make use of the valuable female work force in the post-harvest stages and the processing of agricultural products through the implementation of projects based on less sophisticated technologies.

The newly-established national mechanisms for women in different government organizations of the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as in non-government organizations are making significant efforts to promote the advancement of rural women. Achievements in the removal of obstacles, the implementation of plans to increase rural women's income and the provision of training programs have combined to promote the social, economic and cultural status of rural women in Iran. The plans which have been implemented are aimed at increasing rural women's literacy level and the rural school girls' enrolment in junior and senior secondary schools, establishing and expanding rural women's co-operatives, facilitating rural women's access to farm credit, land, agricultural inputs and extension services; encouraging women's participation in local planning, expanding the health and medical-care networks, and keeping the rural women informed of developments concerning their rights and privileges in order to inspire self-confidence in them.

D. Social Security, Status of Women in the Family and Elimination of Violence against Women

The issue of violence against women in Iran is very different from that in many other countries due to the social, religious and cultural status of women in the country. In Islam, which is the basis for all laws and codes in Iran, respecting and honoring women is a religious and moral responsibility for all. The guiding principles of Islam, including women's veil and detailed framework determining relations between men and women effectively decrease violations and crime against women. Only villains and criminals engage in such acts because violations and assaults against women entail heavy punishments not comparable to those in other countries. Thus, the likelihood and occurrence of such crimes are considerably less in Iran. Moreover, great emphasis is placed on the family as the basic unit of society and the strengthening of ties within the family. If problems arise within the family environment, they are usually resolved by elder relatives. Hence, the family as such, serves as the greatest shield of protection for women in Iran.

In connection with the elimination of violence against women, certain references were made in Section 1 of this report. In regard to women's employment in the judiciary system and the police department, women can act as counselors to judges in courts of law and there are 185 women lawyers that offer legal services. Women are not employed as police officers but a number of women are serving in police departments in administrative and clerical positions and many activities are handled by women in the passport and traffic divisions. Women are active in prevention of social crimes but are not employed as police officers. Recently, the Islamic Consultative Assembly has ratified certain provisions for the employment of women in the police and armed forces, and now there are women with military ranks serving in the country's armed forces.

VIII. Effect of Imposed War on Women

Iran was deeply involved in an imposed and destructive war from September 1980 through August 1988. The war devastated many cities and inflicted heavy damages on life and property. Many families had to leave their war-ravaged towns and cities to seek refuge in urban areas away from enemy assaults. Even if the entire family could not leave their threatened home, women and children had to evacuate to safer areas. The Foundation for Refugees of the Imposed-War was instrumental in providing facilities for the refugees during the war. After the war, the Foundation took responsibility for the reconstruction of war-devastated cities and the return of the refugees to their home towns.

Another grave consequence of the imposed war was the martyrdom of countless numbers of men. There is no doubt that women suffered tremendously and had to endure enormous hardships. The Martyrs Foundation of the Islamic Revolution is vested with the responsibility of helping the families of the martyred, missing and prisoners of war. The services provided by the Foundation are varied, and include among others the following:

1. Educational and cultural services which consist of:

Creation of facilities to promote the educational status of the wives and children of the martyred at all levels and the provision of scholarships for their higher education.

Establishment of cultural centres and libraries for the families of the martyred.

Organization of training courses to promote the education of the wives of the martyred in different aspects of life and training of their children.

Establishment of training courses in handicrafts, carpet weaving, sewing, typing, etc., for the wives of the martyred.

Organization of pilgrimages and recreational tours for the wives and children of the martyred

Publication of the Banovan-e Shahed weekly magazine.

2. Social and Economic Services which include:

Establishing family allowance and pension for the wives of martyrs.

Providing housing facilities.

Creating employment opportunities.

Providing health and medical services and dispensing medical drugs and facilities.

Providing financial assistance to solve the martyrs' family's economic problems.

Offering advisory services for training, education, marriage, etc.

Establishing chain stores to serve the needs of the families of the martyrs.

Providing similar facilities for the war-disabled and their families.

A. Refugee Women

Since 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has hosted four million refugees as a consequence of political strife and armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. In compliance with the principles of Islam, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran considers as its responsibility the extension of support to the oppressed and deprived and believes that such endeavours cannot be limited by geographical boundaries. This open-door policy has enabled Afghan and Iraqi refugees to settle in Iran for years. The notable example of this is the Iraqi refugee influx following the Persian Gulf Crisis in August 1990, when 1.3 million Kurdish refugees, including scores of women and children confronted with a very perilous situation fled to the Islamic Republic of Iran and were provided with food and shelter. In 1991 and 1992, political improvements led to repatriation of many Iraqi and a considerable number of Afghan refugees to their homelands. Nevertheless, according to Government figures, by the end of 1993, it was estimated that 1,900,000 Afghan and 700,000 Iraqi refugees continued to live in Iran.

The majority of Afghan refugees lives in the eastern provinces and the rest is scattered throughout the country, while the Iraqi refugees live in the western provinces, including 165,000 refugees who are stationed in refugee camps. Both groups are considered to be well integrated in Iran. The annual growth rates of the Afghan and Iraqi refugee population is, respectively, 3.05% and 4.4%. Women constitute 45% and 48% of the Afghan and Iraqi refugee population, respectively. Among the refugee population in Iran, there are a number of women and children refugees from the Azerbaijan - Armenia conflict.

1. Health

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has maintained a rural refugee health network to introduce higher health standards among the refugee population in Iran. The program which is implemented through the national health network has ensured the reduction of the mortality rate among refugee population on the whole, and specifically among infants and pregnant and nursing women through post- and pre-natal care. Through this program, 600 Afghan and 200 Iraqi traditional birth attendants were trained to assist with child delivery, 99% of which takes place at home. This is considered a major step in involving and training refugee women to assist their own community. Moreover, the significant outcome of the program was a 50% reduction in the mortality rate for pregnant women and a 75% reduction in infant mortality caused by neonatal tetanus, within the period of two years (1988 to 1990).

2. Education

According to government statistics, only 19% of the Afghan refugees who arrived in Iran after 1979, were literate. In 1992, the rate had increased to 41.4%. This remarkable achievement is due to the fact that about 450,000 Afghan children are benefiting from national educational facilities, mainly at the primary education level. Reportedly, an additional 200,000 adults have also been covered by the Literacy Campaign classes. Nevertheless, during 1989-1992, out of more than 600,000 children and adolescence of school age (7-19 years), only one-third were enrolled in schools each year, the remaining two-thirds were either deprived of schooling or had already joined the labor force.

During the same period, female students constituted less than 40% of school enrolment and only a small fraction of the adult female population, 10 to 15% - benefited from literacy classes.

The Iraqi refugees enjoy much higher levels of literacy. About 75% of the Iraqi male and 60% of the Iraqi female refugees in Iran are literate. Of about 20,000 Iraqi children and youth of school age who live in the refugee camps in the western and south-western parts of Iran, more than three-fourths attend schools at primary, junior secondary and secondary levels.

3. Income Generation

Refugee women coming primarily from rural backgrounds with little or no education who were normally engaged in traditional types of economic activities such as carpet weaving, animal husbandry, farming, etc., are faced with limited employment opportunities when they settle in urban areas of Iran. The remarkable effort of refugee women to adjust to new living conditions is a valuable potential to build on as a basis for their further advancement.

In this regard, and considering the growing refugee caseload in the urban areas, the UNHCR introduced several income-generating projects with the objective of enhancing possibilities of employment and self-employment, social participation and educational development for refugee women. In this relation, from 1986 to 1991, the UNHCR, through government counterparts implemented income-generating and training projects in the areas of sewing, knitting and carpet and kilim weaving. Some 12,500 Afghan and Iraqi women benefited directly from these projects.

4. Protection and Legal Assistance

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a signatory to the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol. In view of the cultural, social and religious norms and values prevailing in both countries of origin as well as in Iran, refugee women benefit from a secure social environment and are properly protected in Iran.

5. Conclusion

Afghan and Iraqi refugee women in Iran, a large number of approximately 1,200,000, generally constitute a young and growing population with high rates of fertility, young age at marriage, high rate of illiteracy and low standards of health. Refugee women in Iran, except a small Christian minority, are Muslims from rural or nomadic backgrounds with pronounced religious, cultural and traditional ties and a strong sense of kinship. They have endured the traumatic experience of war, loss of family members, displacement and the painful experience of adjusting to new living conditions as refugees.

Nevertheless, refugee women have benefited from familiar social and cultural surroundings in the Islamic Republic of Iran and for more than 15 years have enjoyed higher standards of health, sanitation, education, schooling, etc. The right step towards the progress of refugee women is the provision of educational facilities in areas of literacy, schooling, health, family planning and skills training.

IX. REVIEW AND APPRAISAL OF WOMEN AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

The Islamic Republic of Iran has always viewed with interest the international events and developments concerning women. Iran's representatives and delegations have actively participated in many of the conferences and seminars sponsored by different UN agencies, such as the Nairobi Conference, the Commission on the status of women and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, while upholding the progressive principles of Islam concerning the interests of women. The Islamic Republic of Iran has continuously welcomed the international voice of support for the rights of women. In return, the various UN Agencies Representative Offices in Iran have had significant co-operation with the Iranian government in the promotion of women's advancement.

A. United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

UNDP began its activities in the area of women's development in Iran in 1989 with the participation of the UNDP representative and the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the regional workshop of "Women in Development", and has tried to follow the recommendations of the workshop on promoting the status of women in development through the following activities:

1. Inclusion of issues concerning women in the UNDP's Fifth Country Program.

2. Establishing a system for the supervision and reporting of "Women in Development" activities for all programs and activities which are based on UNDP funds.

3. Co-ordinating the establishment of "Women in Development" units in different government organizations and the UNDP head office in Tehran.

4. Co-ordinating international co-operation and activities of UN agencies in Iran with the Bureau of Women's Affairs and the National Committee Secretariat of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

B. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Among its various responsibilities, UNICEF has undertaken activities for the empowerment of women and the equality of female and male children in their access to social services. The UNICEF Representative Office in Iran, in collaboration with the Bureau of Women's Affairs at the President's Office, established a workshop on "Gender Analysis - the Role of Women in Development," which was convened in Tehran in May 1993.

Following the success of this workshop, the Office of Training, Research and Extension Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with UNICEF, organized the Training Agricultural Extension Agents Workshop, which was convened in Tehran in December 1993. About 60 extension agents from different provinces participated in the sessions of this workshop.

In addition to the two workshops mentioned, UNICEF recently has published a book entitled "The Role of Women in Development" and also a literature survey which includes 342 sources on education. UNICEF has also published several books for children including "Young Girls" and "Some Approaches to the Extension of Girls Education". UNICEF, in collaboration with Iran's Ministry of Education is also engaged in a project evaluating the situation of schoolgirls in the primary school system. The project is at present under implementation in three provinces, with particular emphasis on rural areas. UNICEF is also co-operating with Iran's Ministry of Agriculture in the implementation of a project on Rural Women's Co-operatives.

C. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) opened its office in Iran at the Ministry of Agriculture three years ago. The FAO Representative Office in Iran is co-operating in a number of projects on rural women's development.

At the initiation of FAO activities, a woman national co-ordinator was nominated by the Ministry of Agriculture to co-ordinate FAO activities for rural women's advancement in Iran. The FAO office has collected information on rural women in countries whose conditions are similar to Iran's and has submitted it to the national co-ordinator and the Bureau of Women's Affairs for their review and use.

D. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

The UNFPA Iran Country Program 1994-1998 was provisionally approved by the Program Committee on 10 December 1993 and will be submitted to the Governing Council of UNFPA for final approval with the objectives of women, population and development:

The Project Documents for the strengthening of the Bureau of Women's Affairs and Rural Women's Co-operatives have been submitted, respectively, to the Bureau of Women's Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Rural Women's Affairs for their review and approval.

E. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

The UNESCO National Commission in Iran has concentrated on the following activities concerning women in Iran:

1. Research Projects

An analysis on the presentation of women in school textbooks before and after the Islamic Revolution.

The knowledge of married couples of their legal rights and its impact on family relations.

These two projects have been approved and are supported by UNESCO funds.

Additionally, the UNESCO National Commission in Iran has published the book "Women and the Family in Iran (1992)" which, under ten different topics, presents 128 research and executive projects and 336 academic theses at B.Sc., M.Sc., M.A. and Ph.D. levels on the subjects of women and the family in Iran. UNESCO's other activities in Iran include sending Iranian women experts to international seminars and presenting works of Iranian women artists at international arts contests and exhibitions.

F. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Activities of UNHCR are discussed in Part 8 of this report.

X. FUTURE STRATEGIC POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE PROMOTION OF WOMEN'S ADVANCEMENT IN IRAN

Throughout this report the destructive effects of the Iran-Iraq war on the national economy in general and on women in particular have been emphasized. Nonetheless, despite the grave consequences of the war and the ensuing general economic downturn, positive steps and measures have been taken to improve the status of women, on which the progress has been satisfactory. To achieve the desired objectives in women's development, as envisaged by Islamic laws and the Constitution, greater efforts are required. Fortunately, preliminary work has started in many areas and trends of progress have been satisfactory.

It is necessary to note that, although this report has been prepared on the basis of the indicators and guidelines given by the United Nations, the fact is that for advancement of human beings in general and women in particular, the framework provided and the indicators assigned are both limited and inadequate and merely perpetuate stereotypes. Attention must be given to qualitative aspects of progress and national and cultural characteristics must be emphasized in the evaluation of work done and objectives achieved.

Improvements in the situation of women after the Islamic Revolution have been realized through qualitative and moral indicators such as social security, enjoyment of increased respect in the family and a prominent managerial and educational role within the family environment. The dignity of the woman is respected in the mass media and she is no longer portrayed as a mere object of sexual attraction and means for propagation of consumerism. Her sublime status in society has been restored through the establishment of high moral standards and values.

In view of the importance of these achievements, the Islamic Republic of Iran re-emphasizes the fact that, in addition to deliberation on indicators of material development, it is absolutely necessary to maintain moral indicators in order to achieve real progress and sustainable development. Focus on progress must include both quantitative and qualitative indicators. Material development to the detriment of moral values will not entail happiness for women.

Based on the framework and indicators given by the United Nations, future policies for the promotion of women's progress in different areas are given below:

A. Policies of the Second Five-Year Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the Progress of Women

The main objectives and policies followed in the nation's Second Five-Year Development Plan for the progress of women are:

Expansion and improvement of the social security system through funds allocated in the government's general budget for home