Iranian Feminism

Farsi, the Persian language spoken in Iran, has no word for feminism, perhaps explaining in part the varying ways in which women (and men) have responded to gender inequality in that country. Women in Iran have been working for more equal rights for over a century.

As long ago as the latter part of the 19th century, despite the fact that most women lived in a society where male domination was routine, women were often secluded and veiled, and polygamy was practiced, some women resisted such restrictions. Women were barred from voting or holding public office and family laws remained under the Sharià model. A man could have up to four permanent and as many temporary wives as he wished. Fathers, or other male relatives, always had custody of children. Women were required to have permission from husbands or male relatives to travel.

Following the 1906 revolution, women pressed for changes and were successful in opening schools for girls in Tehran and forming associations (some secret) to support women and children. In 1931, women gained limited rights to ask for a divorce and the marriage age was raised to 15 for girls. A governmental office for women was established and in the 1930s, women entered Tehran University. However, over the next decades women's rights fluctuated and laws pertaining to marriage, children, and abortion not only changed but were imposed with varying severity.

Women obtained voting rights in 1963 and by 1978 one-third of all university students were female and 2 million women were in the Iranian workforce. With the Iranian Revolution of 1978 and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite the fact that women's groups had supported the revolution, many of the gains that had been won were suddenly lost. Women working in government had to observe conservative dress rules, the marriage age for girls was reduced to 13, women were barred from judgeships and married women from most schools. Abortion was banned and adulterous women could be stoned to death.