Women's Rights in Iran Flashcards
What was the state of women’s rights in Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution?
Before the revolution, women in Iran had greater freedoms, including suffrage, the right to work, and the right to wear Western-style clothing.
What changes did the 1979 Islamic Revolution bring to women’s rights in Iran?
new Islamic government, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia law that limited women’s rights, including mandatory hijab (headscarf) laws
What is the mandatory hijab law in Iran?
Since the 1979 revolution, women have been required by law to wear the hijab in public, along with modest clothing.
How did women in Iran react to the mandatory hijab and other restrictions?
protested against the hijab law and other restrictions, most notably through “White Wednesdays” (a movement where women wore white hijabs to protest)
How did women’s rights evolve in Iran after the 1990s?
slight relaxation of some restrictions, allowing women to participate more in public life, particularly in education and employment, though under continued religious and legal limitations.
What legal reforms in the 2000s impacted women’s rights in Iran?
greater access to education for women, and women were allowed to work in more sectors, though their role remained heavily regulated. However, laws on marriage, divorce, and inheritance continued to be biased against women.
What is the role of women in Iranian politics?
women have been elected to the parliament. However, women still face legal and institutional barriers, including the inability to become president or serve as judges.
What is the #WomenLifeFreedom movement?
contemporary feminist movement in Iran that protests against gender-based violence, repressive laws, and the mandatory hijab.
How has Iranian feminism evolved over time?
early secular feminism before the revolution to a form of Islamic feminism that works within the constraints of Sharia law. It has also become more internationally connected, with global advocacy for women’s rights in Iran gaining attention.
What challenges do Iranian women face today?
discrimination in law, including unequal inheritance rights, restrictions on travel, and the legal requirement to have a male guardian’s consent for marriage or travel abroad.
How does Realism explain the state of women’s rights in Iran?
Iran’s policies on women’s rights can be seen as part of its broader strategy to maintain internal stability and control over its population, using gender roles as a means to enforce social conformity and state authority.
How does Liberalism explain the shift in women’s rights in Iran?
Liberalism emphasizes the importance of individual rights and democratic principles. From a liberal perspective, the improvement in women’s access to education and employment in the 1990s can be seen as a positive development, although legal reforms have been limited and uneven.
How does Constructivism explain Iran’s approach to women’s rights?
s. The Iranian state’s policies on women’s rights are deeply tied to the Islamic identity that was constructed post-revolution. Constructivists would argue that the state’s approach to gender equality reflects deeply held beliefs about gender roles shaped by religion and culture.
How does Postcolonialism interpret women’s rights in Iran?
Postcolonialism critiques the impact of Western colonialism and imperialism on the shaping of gender roles. Iran’s gender policies can be seen as a response to the legacy of colonialism and Western influence, particularly in reaction to the West’s attempts to impose modernity and liberal values.
How does Feminist Theory explain women’s rights in Iran?
critiques the patriarchal and Islamic legal structures that have restricted women’s freedom. Feminists argue that Iranian women’s rights have been historically suppressed by both state policies and religious laws, and recent movements highlight ongoing struggles for agency and autonomy.
How does the Security Dilemma apply to women’s rights in Iran?
the state perceiving women’s rights movements as a potential threat to its authority. Efforts to expand women’s freedoms might be viewed by the government as weakening traditional power structures and destabilizing the societal order.
