Unequal Status of Women in Iran

The Shah of Iran was ousted from power by a wave of Islam fundamentalism in which women participated. Women are allowed to vote in Iran and are adept at political protest. Subsequently, they marched in mass demonstrations against the Shah. During these marches, Iranian women wore their veils proudly to demonstrate support for traditional values: "It may be that the veil was seen by women as a symbol of solidarity which was to be discarded or worn at will after the fall of the Shah" (Lindsey 151). The Ayatollah Khomeini welcomed the support of the women for his regime and hinted that women would have more freedom of choice under the new republic.

Any illusions that Iranian women had about equal rights under Khomeini's regime were quickly shattered once the Shah was deposed. Legislation was passed that rooted women even more firmly in a "separate but equal" status with men. Using the Koran as authority, governing clerics have enforced laws aimed at promoting the domestic role of women: "a woman's religious duty demanded that she concentrate on domestic roles, and as a result, women have been literally pushed out of public life and into the home" (Lindsey 151). Aft

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UN reported that 89% of rural Iranian women are illiterate" ("Status" 67). The sexes are separate in educational institutions and a dearth of female teachers has meant overcrowding in many schools for women and girls. Sexual segregation in public places is the norm in Iran. Men and women sit in separate sections on buses. Some buildings have separate entrances for women and men. The sexes worship in separate sections at mosques. Women can only engage in sports when their activities will not be viewed by men. Sexual segregation severely limits employment opportunities for women. Women are only allowed to work in Iran under certain conditions. As mentioned above, female teachers are employed in sexually segregated schools. Married women can work as long as their husbands give written permission. A greater number of Iranian women are employed at present, more from economic necessity than by any liberalization of laws: "the economic crisis in Iran has prompted many women to find employment outside the home" (Lindsey 152). The Iranian constitution states that any person is free to choose the occupation that suits him or her, yet a married man can stop his wife from working even after she is employed. The Islamic dress
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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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