Sex segregation in Iran

Sex segregation in Iran encompasses practices derived from the dogma of Shiite Islam predominant in Iran. Sex segregation is strictly enforced. In many cities, there are women-only parks. Sex segregation prohibits males from viewing females, and age of consent laws do not exist, as all sexual activity outside marriage is illegal. UN experts have denounced Iran for enforcing a gender apartheid.^[1]

After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, there began a sex-based segregation of public places. All schools are segregated by sex for students and teachers. Beaches and pools are segregated by sex as required under national Iranian law. Pre-marital relationships between boys and girls are strictly banned. However, certain parts of Iranian society, primarily in wealthy urban neighborhoods, have accepted relationships between unmarried individuals despite it being illegal.^[2]

The Tehran metro has wagons specifically designated for females only. In recent years males have often attempted to break the law, and in present times there have been cases of men entering the female-only wagons. There are many women-only parks all over the country and all beauty salons prohibit the entry of men and boys. Due to extreme sex segregation in the past, Iranian mothers typically chose a wife for their son, and largely continue to do so.