Women's rights in Iran

This article is about the status of women's rights. For the Iranian women's movement, see Women's rights movement in Iran.

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During the late 20th and early 21st centuries in Iran, women's rights have faced ongoing challenges, marked by strict laws, cultural norms, and government policies that limit freedoms and enforce gender-based restrictions. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the country’s legal system has imposed a conservative interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, which directly affects women’s rights in several areas. The World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Iran 140, out of 144 countries, for gender parity. In 2017, in Iran, females comprised just 19% of the paid workforce, with seven percent growth since 1990.[1] In 2017, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index ranked Iran in the bottom tercile of 153 countries.[2] Compared to other South Asian regions, women in Iran have a better access to financial accounts, education, and cellphones.[2]: 16  Iran was ranked 116, out of the 153 countries, in terms of legal discrimination against women.[2]: 16 

In Iran, women's rights have changed according to the form of government ruling the country, and attitudes towards women's rights to freedom and self-determination have changed frequently.[3] With the rise of each government, a series of mandates for women's rights have affected a broad range of issues, from voting rights to dress code.[4][better source needed]

The rights and legal status of Iranian women have changed since the early 20th century, especially during the past three systems of government. During the Qajar dynasty that ruled Iran from the late 1800s to the early 20th century, women were isolated; they were not engaged in politics, and their economic contribution was limited to household work. These conditions changed during the Pahlavi dynasty that ruled the country from 1925 to 1979; women won much more freedom.[4] Women's rights and freedoms were established through the leader's wishes for Iran to become a more modern, European-style country, although that was mostly applicable on the country's elites, disregarding the majority of the population.[5] These freedoms were retracted after the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution. Human Rights Watch said in 2015, "Women's rights are severely restricted in Iran".[6] In Iran, women face substantial legal and cultural restrictions on their rights and freedoms, shaped by a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Key areas of concern include:

• Dress Code and Conduct: Women are required by law to wear the hijab and adhere to conservative dress standards, enforced by morality police who monitor public appearance. This has spurred defiance, with many women pushing back through quiet protest movements like “White Wednesdays,” opposing mandatory veiling .

• Family and Legal Rights: Iranian family law reinforces gender inequality in marriage, divorce, and child custody, typically favoring men. Women need male permission for marriage, face barriers to divorce, and generally have limited custody rights. These restrictions reinforce traditional roles and have led to ongoing calls for reform .

• Employment and Education: While Iranian women are highly educated, with a majority presence in universities, they are underrepresented in the workforce and often restricted from certain fields. Quotas and barriers limit professional advancement, despite many women’s high academic achievements .

• Political Participation: Although women can vote and run for office, they face systemic barriers and are barred from high-ranking roles like the presidency. Representation in parliament remains limited, with conservative factions resisting expanded roles for women in politics .

  1. ^ "World Economic Forum". April 17, 2018. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference GIWPS_WPSIndex_Klugman_2017_8 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Osanloo, Arzoo (2009). The Politics of Women's Rights in Iran. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-4008-3316-0. JSTOR j.ctt7sqth.
  4. ^ a b Camara, Andrea (April 22, 2018). "Women's Rights in Iran during the Years of Shah, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Khamenei". Stars: 5–60.
  5. ^ Osanloo, Arzoo (2009). The Politics of Women's Rights in Iran. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-4008-3316-0.
  6. ^ "Women's Rights in Iran". October 28, 2015.