Gender inequality in Iran

Essay by lwareingHigh School, 12th gradeA+, September 2014

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The Question of Gender, the Question of Equality ! Gender inequality has been a constant facet of Iranian society for many years, as an Islamic state, the role and treatment of women is based on interpretation of Islamic law (Shari'a). The change derived from the downfall of the Pahlavi regime and subsequent Iranian revolution of 1979 dramatically effected the nature and extent of the rights and quality of life experienced by Iranian women. The reign of Pahlavi as Shah saw women's rights reach new capabilities - for example in 1963, regardless to objections by religious clerics women were granted the capability to vote and run for parliament . While these laws saw great improvements in gender equality, they did not 1 guarantee it's lasting existence, as seen through the results of the Islamist regime taking power. The change in government saw the enactment of a new constitution which changed the perspective taken upon women, who are now viewed through Islamic ideology as inferior. The result of such thought has seen negative effects for women's rights in a number of aspects of life. ! Gender inequality is evident throughout many facets of Iranian society. The commonality of gender discrepancy is proved through statistics such as parliamentary seats held by women equating to only 3.1% , the percentage of adult women reaching secondary or higher level education is 62.1% whilst 2 the same statistic for men counts 69.1% and the participation of women in the labour market at 3 16.4% while the participation of men is 72.5% . Such statistics make obvious the extent of 4 inequality and difference for women and men in Iran. The gender inconsistency is a result of a number of factors, including influences from Iranian authorities that aim to repress civil rights movements such as...