The images coming out of Iran -protests against the disputed presidential election and the brutal crackdown by the government forces- show the intensity and fervor with which Iranians are pursuing more freedom and democracy. These images also provide an important insight on the role Iranian women are playing. I thought this article published in the Global Post by an anonymous writer summed it right when it stated that:
“Even though official reporting of events has been very limited due to restrictions by the government, we were able to get a glimpse of what is going on in the streets via amateur videos and photos. What was evident in all those images is a very clear presence of women of all ages in the protests. Photos showed young, green-clad girls standing defiantly next to other, male protesters.
The images give evidence of the bravery of Iranian women. Today those women are not just fighting for a sheerer head-scarf or the freedom to show a little more of their arms; they are fighting to change the political face of the country and thus their future.”
From the very start, women’s rights have been a forefront issue in this presidential election. A major appeal of the reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi was his wife, Zhara Rahnavard. She is Iran’s first top-ranking female university professor and a respected painter. Together they broke cultural norms by campaigning together and even holding hands in public. Her role in the election campaign was significant enough for Ahmadinejad to be threatened by her. In a televised debate, Ahmadinejad tore her picture and accused her of entering a graduate program without taking the entrance exam.
However, it was not just Mousavi who was courting women’s vote. All four candidates made promises to women. Presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, a reformist cleric, said he is against forcing women to wear the Islamic veil. Conservative candidate Mohsen Rezaie said he plans to reform the law to ensure more equality for women. He also promised to place Iranian women in top posts in politics, education and management. Ahmadinejad spoke of empowering women and providing insurance for housewives. He also held a rally specifically for women and his sister, Parvin, campaigned for him among conservative women. This June 10th BBC article provides an insight into how women have come to play a significant role in the Iranian politics.
As reported in this June 11th Wall Street Journal article, Iranian women are among the most highly educated and socially active in the Middle East. Women in Iran have a 77% literacy rate and account for 60% of university students. According to this February 12th New York Times article, “women’s rights advocates say Iranian women are displaying a growing determination to achieve equal status in this conservative Muslim theocracy.” This determination could be seen on June 19th, when thousands of Iranian women took to Tehran’s streets demanding “change” and making sure that their voices are being heard.
Photo taken from the MSNBC.
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