In the years immediately following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, women took an active role in achieving the objectives of the Revolution. Their participation in decision-making processes was crucial to the establishment of social security for women. The experience gained and the skills developed by Iranian women contributed greatly to their active presence in public affairs. After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, suitable conditions resulted in a growing trend toward women’s training and specialization and in the years to come, we are bound to witness women assuming even greater positions at important decision-making levels.

Outline:

1. Participation in Political Processes
   1. Political Participation at the Mass Level
   2. Political Participation at the Elite Level
      1. Representation at the Legislature
      2. Representation at the Executive Level and in the Private Sector
      3. Representation at the Judiciary Level
2. Women’s Participation in Cultural Fields
3. Women’s Participation in Economic Fields
   
   

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1. Participation in Political Processes

The extent of women’s participation in the political processes of a country or the activities women undertake to achieve political objectives are characterized by society’s prevailing socio-economic and cultural norms and values. The lack of women’s interest in politics does not necessarily reflect the existence of inequality between men and women in a given society. In fact, absence of participation in political processes on the part of women derives from a set of complex historical and social factors as well as from their own particular position in society. Nearly all modern nation-states of the world recognize equal rights for men and women in their respective constitutions. Nevertheless, only a limited number of political office holders and high ranking officials are women.

Women’s participation in political processes in the Islamic Republic of Iran can be evaluated at two distinct levels: mass participation and elite participation.

1. Political Participation at the Mass Level


Political participation of women at the mass level has been exhibited in the process of the Islamic Revolution, in national elections, in the mobilization of war-time resources, in demonstrations and marches to show opposition to or support for different issues and in group meetings and associations.

Iranian women's efforts in the mobilisition of the economy during the eight-year imposed war remains a prominent example of political participation on the part of women. Their tireless efforts behind the front lines, their financial donations and personal sacrifices as well as their encouragement of the public to partake directly and indirectly in the defense of the homeland helped in reverse the tides of aggression.

Women’s mobilization units, which were established in mosques, government organizations and factories in 1981, are still active in the implementation of the country’s reconstruction programs and economic development as well as in areas of training, education, research, sports and arts.

2. Political Participation at the Elite Level


At the elite level, women’s participation and activities have extended into the domains of the legislative, executive and judiciary branches as described below.

1. Representation at the Legislature


According to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, enacted in 1980, all men and women enjoy equal rights in their participation or nomination in the election process. However, as is the case in so many other countries, the number of women representatives from the total representation at the legislature is small.

The increasing participation of women, both as electors and candidates, evidenced by their increasing turn-out in successive parliamentary elections, is indicative of women’s growing awareness of their own social and political responsibilities. Compared with previous elections, the number of women representatives in the latest election for the Islamic Consultative Assembly increased by 120 percent. The number of women candidates in this election also increased by 125 percent. Women have a significant role in the organization of various election activities. In fact, 50 percent of the administration work in elections is managed by women.

A fact worthy of note is that women representatives of the present Assembly serve as members on a number of important parliamentary committees.

2. Representation at the Executive Level and in the Private Sector


The Women’s Affairs Advisory Post, established at the President’s Office in 1992, is the highest ranking official position held by an Iranian woman. In addition, a number of ministerial counselors are women and 342 women hold general management posts in governments organizations. The Women’s Social and Cultural Council (WSCC) is another important decision-making institution where fifteen educated professionals draw out plans and submit carefully-studied proposals for the adoption of correct policies on social and cultural issues confronting women.

It must however be mentioned that while the presence of women at higher levels of decision-making is vigorously sought by the organization that promote women’s status, women’s activities in the middle echelons of governmental hierarchy are instrumental in the current planning and execution of projects that benefit woman. The number of women holding middle-managerial positions is on the increase and women are steadily occupying middle management positions throughout the country. In addition, a great number of women own and operate businesses in manufacturing and trade or handle managerial jobs in private sector companies.

3. Representation at the Judiciary Level


There has been steady progress in women’s representation at high levels of jurisdiction and now women serve as advisors to courts of law. At present, the number of women who are registered attorneys-at-law is 185 from the total of 2,661 registered attorneys. Since 1991, there has been competent and powerful representation of the Judiciary Branch at the Bureau of Women’s Affairs attending to women’s judicial issues and promoting women’s rights.

 

2. Women’s Participation in Cultural Fields

In general, Iranian women prefer cultural activities in their social employment. Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, women have been increasingly active in the writing and translation of books and, in fact, their progress in this sphere has been so prominent that many have been awarded prizes for the "Book of the Year." Women’s managerial endeavors in publishing centers are also quite noticeable. According to a recent survey, 13 percent of Iranian journalists are women, which shows a significant improvement over previous years. The average age of women journalists is 23. The survey also indicates that 60 percent of women journalist in Iran are engaged in the press and publications more or less connected with government and public institutions.

The rest are active in the independent press. About 22 percent of women journalists, whose average educational level is a bachelor’s degree, are active in news reporting. Of women journalists, 18 percent hold a master’s degree and 6 percent have doctorate degrees. Moreover, journalism constitutes the only source of income for 41 percent of women journalists in Iran.

According to present statistics, 900 women are active in film production and 1,800 are employed in activities connected with the television broadcasting network. A seminar on "Women and the Mass Media" convened in Tehran in 1994, highlighted many of the activities undertaken by women in the mass media in Iran.

In addition to the above-mentioned cultural fields, Iranian women have established their capacities and talents in painting, graphics architecture, sculpturing and other artistic cultural areas.

3. Women’s Participation in Economic Fields

Even though fourteen centuries have passed since complete economic independence was foreseen and guaranteed for women by Islam, domination of oppression world-wide has prevented women from achieving their emphatic economic rights and privileges.

In today’s Iranian society, women have demonstrated that they have capabilities and potential talents which, under proper conditions, can greatly contribute to national wealth and economic development. The awareness and voluntary participation of Iranian women in a wide range of economic fields have greatly increased since they have been provided with more technical experience and scientific knowledge.

About 50 percent of Iranian women live in rural areas. Almost 100 percent of these rural women participate in some form of agricultural processing and cottage industries. Maximizing women’s participation in economic activities is a prime objective of the employment schemes of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Provision of loans to women, supplying them with means of production and raw materials and organizing training courses and workshops to promote their knowledge and technical capability will contribute to their increased presence in economic activities.