This 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. 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 in military ranks serving in the country’s armed forces.