The High Council for Human Rights publishes the report of “Women in the Islamic Republic of Iran” to review the promotion and protection of the rights of women in Iran.
After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, there has been a tremendous change in the attitude toward the role and position of women in society. One of the most significant changes that took place was to form the identity of Iranian Muslim women, which led to the advancement of women after the Islamic Revolution.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran considers women as the active half of the society, respects the special rights of women in various social, cultural, economic, and political fields, provides the basis for the effective presence thereof in various fields as one of the essential duties assigned thereto, and always endeavors to consider this goal in planning and enactment of laws.
From the very first days of its popular movement, the Islamic Revolution has emphasized the importance of the role and position of women in Islamic society. It has always paid attention to the full realization of their rights based on the basic principles and within the framework of Islamic Sharia, taking into account all aspects of their personality and dimensions and characteristics of their existence. To that end, and for the development and promotion of women, the Islamic Republic of Iran has approved several laws, which are always dynamic in nature and can be upgraded and replaced if the needs of the society change.
The Country has taken extensive measures to improve health, education, employment, ensure women’s security and combat violence against them, and increase the social presence of women through participation in decision-making positions, which are briefly discussed in the present report.
On the strength of Articles 3, 30, and 43 of the Constitution, the Islamic Republic of Iran has adopted extensive measures to develop the Country’s general culture, provide free public education, and promote higher education for all nation members. It has also promoted the level of knowledge of different strata by making university scientific education universal. The growth of women’s literacy, the increase in the share of girls in different educational levels, and the increase in the number of women academic staff in recent years indicate women’s progress in scientific-educational indicators in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has also identified political participation and involvement in decision-making positions as both a right and a duty for women. Both the 20-Year National Vision Document and the Charter of Women’s Rights and Responsibilities, enacted in 2004, recognize the right to participate in policy-making and decision-making, hold managerial positions in educational and scientific administrations, be aware of, participate in, and play a role in determining the fundamental laws of the Country.
One of the strategic goals of the Islamic Republic of Iran in development programs is to uproot poverty, especially for women, by providing social security, financial support, entrepreneurship, and supporting cooperatives. Various institutions, including the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation and the State Welfare Organization (SWO) provide support and empowerment services to women and girls without custody.