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. (Table 1)

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 endeavors 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 endeavors 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.

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.