Payam Zan

Womens Message

A Special Feature on
`Women in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Vol. 14, No.157, April 2005

IN THIS ISSUE: Policy, Beyond, Culture
Proprietor: Islamic propagation Office of the Qum Seminary
Chief Director: Muhammad Ja`fari Giláni
Editor-in-chief: Seyyed Ziá Murtazawi
Centra Office: P.O.Box 37185-165, Qom, Iran
Tel-Fax: (0251) 7733305

Abstracts

Trans: Ahmad Reza Jalili and Seyyed Abbás Huseini

Editorial

Women in the Islamic Revolution of Iran
(Functional Report 1)

The main part of the widespread special feature on women in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the third issue of which is the present issue, is concerned with an assessment of the functions of the Islamic government with regard to women and family. The editorial, which introduces a general review of the advances made in this regard with critical remarks of the function, concentrates on five main topics, namely education, employment, housekeeping, reform of laws, and political participation and makes an assessment as well.


Women and Large Scale Adminstrative Functions
Seyyed Samsam al-Dín Qawami
Some experts believe that "the proportion of women holding positions as directors and adminstrators is very low", and compared with other countries in the world, our country does not enjoy the position which it deserves in this regard. Is this the real case? Is it true that womens right of entering professions as directors and admistrators is disregarded and that womens right needs to be guaranteed? What should be done, then?
In response to these questions, the author compares the situation of women in Iran with regard to holding positions of adminstration and management with that of women in the world and then expounds on the situation of women engaged in admistrative professions in Iran taking into consideration three things: level of proficiency, employment and women in positions of adiminstration. He, then, reaches a conclusion that the general advance of women concerning their participation in social activities and rising to positions of responsibility is a conic movement which corresponds with the international statistical account.
The author considers disregarding equality in the area of adminstration and increasing womens opportunities of adminstration in the Iranian society as something contrary to the natural order, and points out to its consequences.


Womens Role in Management in the Islamic Government in a Statistcal and Analytical Review
Saddiqa Bebran
In spite of the hard efforts made by the officials who were holding responsibilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide better opportunities for women to take active part in positions of management, there remain a large number of hardships. International statistics indicate that, in as far as womans role in management is concerned, Iran is still behind. The present article reviews the subject in question and explores a number of issues like women managers, women and the obstacles in the way of womens rising to positions of management, the ways of overcoming the difficulties and the consequences of womens holding positions of management. Different thinkers have different views and so they do not reach a definite conclusion about a certain question especially when it is concerned with something comprehensive. Among the examples, are the articles in the special issue which deal with this subject and shows care and caution. They are not regarded creditable due to their being comprehensive. If these principles are accepted, then no place will reamain for criticizing womens limited participation of women in adminstrative jobs and professions.


Womens Political and Social Rights before and after the Islamic Revolution of Iran
Hassan Toghranegar
Among the topics which the journal takes care of is to compare between womens political and social rights before and after the Islamic Revolution. The article introduces an contrast between the situation of womens political and social rights before and after the Revolution regarding government officials attitude towards women, election, holding posts in political management, employment, social insurance, health and cultural rights.


Womens Non - state Organizations; Opportunities or Menaces
Sawsan Safa Wardi
One of the best opportunities for womens social activities are voluntarily formed collective societies and popular organizations which has a long history in the record of womens in social fields.
Internationally, womens societies and organizations had not played a very effective role before the birth of the United Nations. In Iran, due to their spiritual identity, their moral character and their long - standing and sustainable background, womens societies and organizations have a remarkable and profound influence on Iranian society in various areas.
After introducing a definition of these popular organizations and reviewing their main characteristics and the course of their development throughout history, the article points out the factors which led these societies and organizations to expand and the retain their activities. Finally, it refers to the pathos of these organizations.


Women and Consultive Assemblies; the New Epoch
with the assistance of Farahnaz Bashiri
One of the most extensive fields of womens social activities is their membership in the Islamic consultive assemblies of villages, towns, cities and provinces.
Their presence in these assemblies has, in fact, two significant effects: on the one hand, it shows through a free election that people of different walks of life including men have confidence in womens ability to hold positions in the field of managment, and on the other hand, the effective role which they play in decision-making centres which was a result of the election made by women, who comprise half the population of the country, is of great significance. Although women in the rural areas, due to some difficulties and obstacles, did not have the opportunity to take part in consultive assemblie in citiess in the two recent terms, womens eagerness to participate in the election and the considerable number of the women who were elected for the membership of these popular institutions in either of these two terms was promising. Taking a glance at the statistical data, the article addresses the degree of womens participation in consultive assemblies all over the country.


The Assessment of Conceptions, Womens Position and Status before and after the Revolution and the Expectations Parvaneh
 Salami and Ali Hanifeh
One of the most important questions about the status of women is, What did we expect from the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic government in Iran and What is the status of women now? These are the questions which anyone can answer in terms of conceptions, expectations and a position one can take on women, the position that they have in society and family and so on.
In this report, an interview carried out with those people who supported and played a part in the movement stirred up by Imam Khomeini before the victory of the Islamic Revolution and those who have engaged in various social and political activities after the Revolution. The participants in this interview are as follows: Soheila jelodarzadeh, Elaheh Kulai, Zahra Shojai, Robabeh Rafii Taheri (Fayyazbakhash), Maryam Behruzi, Fatimeh Karrubi. Fariba lahuti, and Mr. Majid Ansari.


Women and the Six Terms of the Islamic Consultative Assembly
Maryam Arshadi
In the six terms of the Islamic Consultative Assembly elections (parliamentary elections) until 1382 AH (solar), though women did not win many seats, there were no lawful restrictions that block the way to the women who wished to participate in parliamentary elections, and the practical participation in the six terms seem to have established their participation in the Islamic consultative Assembly. However, to put oneself as a candidate for the Islamic Consultative Assembly seems to be not an easy process.
This article deals, in detail, with the statistics on the number of women taking part in the six terms of parliamentary elections, womens level of education, the number of votes, the comparison between the number of votes in one place and the ones in other places, and the women who were elected as representatives in Tehran and other cities.


The Islamic Revolution and the Presentation of an Ideal Model for Muslim Women
Ma`sumeh `Askari
Women and their individual and social roles have passed through radical changes throughout the history of Iran.
With the advent of the Islamic Revolution as the most important essential change in the contemporary history of Iran, women have been viewed from the Islamic perspective whereby they enjoyed certain rights and obligations in civil and constitutional laws which are derived from Islam and religious doctrines.
The present article provides an opportunity for the examination of womens status in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the women who had a significant contribution to the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and briliantly stood firm in establishing the Islamic rule in the realms of defence and reconstruction.
Seeking to introduce the character of a Muslim woman and to examine the function of the Islamic Republic in presenting an ideal Islamic model for women, to the Muslim women in all parts of the world, this article deals with the responsibilities Muslim women have in the modern age and the way in which they can play their role in the process of globalization.

The Influence of the Islamic Revolution on Awakening Muslim Women of the World.
Másooma Raghibi (Bayyat)
Not only did the achievements of the Islamic Revolution and the blessings it brought about influence Islamic countries but they also influenced the Middle East Europe and America. Declaration of religious identity, asking for ones rights, stressing the signifecance of divine precepts and regaining ones identity are among the blessings of the Revolution.
One of the models which the Islamic Revolution has introduced is Islamic hijab which today represents more than a way of showing obedience to some religious teachings; it has become a symbol of a womans righteousness, and firmness. Therefore, some foreign countries decided to ban Islamic hijab.
Today women consider the objective of taking part in the parliaments of Islamic countries and in social, politicul and cultural activities to regain their identity as a way of attaining justice not a means of seeking equal rights with men. The present article elaborates on the role of the Revolution in awakening Islamic world which has been enlighted by the radiance of the Islamic Revolution.


The Image of Iranian Women in the Foreign Press
Másoomah Raghibi (Bayyat)
The Islamic Revolution paved the way for womens active participation in social and political areas whereas womens rights were very limited in the period preceeding the Islamic Revolution. As a result, the rapid progress which brought about tremendous changes in Iranian society and the efficent role of women in the society aroused the curiousity of clear - sighted people especially those working in the press, and so a great variety of explanations, sometimes contradictory, for Iranian womens achievements were introduced. The present article tries to show how the foreign press perceive women in Iran. This study can contribute to evaluating the results of the Islamic governments program during the last twenty five years by mainly referring to the views of opponents, not to what the supporters of Islamic government say.
The foreign press give an unpleasant, false, exaggerated and one - dimensional picture about some questions like Islamic veil (hijab), womens role in the sacred defence, women and common decency, women and stoning and womens participation in economic and scientific activities.


Womans Status in Current Iranian Society
Dalal Abbas
trans: H. Sharíatmadari
The view shown by someone from outside Iran about the conditions of women in the Islamic Republic of Iran helps us to form a better idea about how the function of the Islamic government has affected people in other countries and thus brings out the positive sides and the negative sides of the function of the Islamic government.
The Centre of Strategic Studies, one of the scientific establishments in Lebanon which is concerned with doing researches of basic significance on the countries of the region, has published its scientific contributions in "The Middle East Affairs" quarterly. In its issue number 103 published in the summer of the year 2001, this quarterly has included an elaborate study on the society in Iran sheds light on which different subjects. Mrs. Dalal Abbas, a Lebanese writer and university professor, wrote a detailed article on the current social conditions of women in Iran. This article, which has been translated into Persian, appears in this issue.
Among the issues dealt with in this research are:
Imam Khomeinis role in reviving womens rights in social and political fields which were ignored in the past, the role of womens state and national societies, woman and the right of participation in political activities, woman and education, the rights of working women, family and the question of marriage and divorce, the question of hijab (Islamic veil). Although this research does not provide the Iranian readers with new information, it displays how a researcher from another country views Iranian affairs and what the Islamic Revolution has achieved for women. The article also includes a number of the quotations of Imam Khomeini and the grand leaders sayings tranlated in a way to convey the contents rather than the literal meaning.


Iranian Women and Enjoying the Twenty-five Year Experience of Taking part in the International Conventions
shahindokht Mowlawerdi
participation in the world conventions, international organizations and centers by men and women has been the subject of discussion in political circles from the time the Islamic Revolution gained victory in Iran. Some take a very optimistic view and support and even encourage increased participation in them. Others take negative view and claim that it would not be appropriate at all for the Islamic government of Iran to take part in these conventions. However, there is an intermediary view that, in spite of the fact that the world powers act in world centers, organizations, and conventions to pursue their own self-interest, it is not such that they can act at their own sweet will. Thus one can seize the opportunities and take active but conditional part in these organizations and centers while preserving and taking into consideration the Islamic principles and teachings.
The functions of the Islamic government and the life-style of the officials show that the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic system in Iran has taken this very intermediary view, especially in the case of womens participation in the international conventions. But the question what achievements or shortcomings we have had in this area and what can be done to improve our efficiency are the questions with which this article is concerned.


Iranian Women from the Viewpoint of Non-Iranian Women
Mahbubeh Plangi
It has alway been interesting for Iranian readers to know how the other people form judgements about them. The status of Iranian women after the victory of the Islamic Revolution has been the subject of controversy in many cultural, social, political and even religious circles overseas. There have been various differing judgements as to the status of women over the past decades, a summary of which is reflected in this special feature. In this brief report, an interview with several non-Iranian women who are cognizant, in one way or the other, with womens problems is given. They typically have a positive view of Iranian womens personality, especially that of womens veil (hijâb). It goes without saying that not all non-Iranian women have the same view, but as some of these women have emphasized, the Western press and television advertising propagate a false image of the real situation and status of Iranian women which influence peoples judgement on women, especially on the judgement of ignorant people.


An Introduction to the Islamic Governments Responsibility concerning Guarding Common Decency
Muhammad Husayn Mihwari
The duties of government have long been the subject of debate among thinkers and so various ideas were introduced in this respect. Among the questions that were frequently raised was: Is the governments responsibility limited to the achievement of general objectives or are there other value objectives which have to be achieved by government?
Before discussing the things which have been achieved by the Islamic government, the following question has been urgenthy asked: Is Islamic government essentially responsible in any way for establishing religion and religious values in society? The negative answer given by some Muslim thinkers to the question above led the author to explore the message of Islamic government concerning achieving religious values and moral and humane virtues including common decency and to underline the methods and techniques of implementing it.


The Islamic Revolution and Womens Religious and Value - centred Attitude
Ali Asghar Ilhami Nia
The way of achieving perfection and nearness to Allah is open for all human beings regardless of their sex, and so both man and woman have the right to pursue the way to serve Allah and reach a very high station. When all the conditions of advancing and attaining perfection are available and factors of declination, pervesion and indecency become weak, pursuing the way to perfection will be smooth and spiritual perfection will be accessible. By Bahman A.H. (solar) 1357 such a condition prevailed in Iran and Muslim men and women had the opportunity to take an active part in elevating beliefs and righteous standards as eagerly as ever because they felt that the way was paved for them to make all possible efforts in peace and security.
The pleasently - scented atmosphere which was one of the favours of the Islamic government, paved the way for women to achieve many spiritual things, such as: perception of the Revolutions message and the fundamental change, giving constant support for the Revolution, taking part in the war imposed on Iran, playing an effective part in the fields of religious and educational activities, achieving their rights and attaining a high social position through Islamic hijab (veil), insight, and an Islamic identity.


Women, from Actual Problems to Fanciful Defects and Challenges
Mahmood Latifi
The problems which women face can be divided into three kinds: Some problems have been imposed on them by the cultural inroad especially that which the West makes on Islamic culture. The other problems appear as a result of inefficiency of cultural and educational institutions and their falling short of adjusting culture so that it gains an Islamic character, lack of harmony in making decisions or attitudes, ineffectiveness of excution and adminstration, deviant perception and the incompatibility of the function of cultural institutions with Islamic precepts. These fundamental problems originate from abondonment of Quranic teachings. The third kind of problems do not have real basis but they come from poor administration, or result from the plots which enemies devise.
The article expounds on the aforementioned types of problems faced by women.


A Pathology of the Cultural, Social and Political Policies Concerning Women and Family in the Past (in a Panel Discussion with Some Experts on Womens affairs)
Tayyibeh Mirzaeskandari
Has the movement emerged out of concern for womens affairs and its growth in the early years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution taken a definite (clear) course? Have the grand Leaders points of view and approaches towards women been consistent with what the Islamic government actually did for women? Where can the roots of cultural, social and political damages be found? The following participants in the panel discussion try to find answers to the above-mentioned questions: Shahla Habibi, the director of Womens Non-governmental Organizations Communication Networks, Dr. Izzat Mirkhani(the professor at Imam sadiq University), Monir `Amedi Qumi, the executiver director of the Womens Studies and Researches Instiitue, Tayyibeh Mirzaeskandari, an expert on social sciences who discuss the roots of the damages from their own points of view.


Islamic Republic, Good Examples and the Necessary and Unncessary
Ahmad Loqmani
The tendency towards a model or a good example is among the requirements for attaining perfection. This tendency is referred to as immitation. Religious sources such as the Qur¨an give a definition of the word model, both negative and positive, warn of going to extremes and direct the attention to sustainable and unsustainable principles. Furthermore, religious leaders present true and practical models to their followers inviting them to seek wisdom and spiritual sublimity which they consider among the indications of good example. Nahjul Balaghah is one of the sources which contain valuable material in this regard. Part of the responsibilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to direct thoughts in such a way that peoples tendency towards spiritual perfection and their readiness to achieve this goal will be translated into action.
It will be good and efficient of government to introduce a good example whereby it can gain peoples confidence, present a nice picture of people own culture in a pleasant language, distinguish between positive and negative examples and improve the relationship - both in action and words - between people in authority. One of the models which the Islamic Republic of Iran introduces is the lifestyle of Fatmiat al-Zehrá , a model - which suits the present time and all times - and has significant and valuable effects. The present article introduces an account of this good example whether with regards to words or to actions.


Women, Sacred Defense and the Spread of the Tendency to Martyrdom and Self-sacrifice in a Glance
Fariba Anisi
Womens participation in struggle and war fronts, whether in the history of Islam or in the history of the world has a remarkable effect. Iranian women, too, play a major role in this regard by defending their religion and their country. Their achievements in Kurdistan region and during the eight-year sacred defense are beyond expression. Their main activities were in military work, intelligence, aid-giving, logistic, medical and nursing care, and so on.
At the end, the article gives a picture of the effects of the war, images of womens resistance along with an account of martyrs wives, the wives of worriers disabled in the war and the wives of war prisoners.


Girls Education, the Achievement of Offices of Education, Statistics and Contrasting Iran with Other Countries
Mariam Haqiqat - Gu
One of the most important steps to achieve a sustainable development is the development of human resources which is of vital significance in developing countries including Iran. The balance between potentials and equal distribution of the opportunities available including equal distribution of opportunities of education is, owing to its significant effect on development of human resources, considered of special importance.
The research which is based on statictical information and contrastive study attempts to investigate the girlsproportion of education during the last twenty-five years in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Among the issues which the author examines in this article are: the necessity of girls education, girls educational conditions in some countries such as China, Japan, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Australia, education in the Islamic Republic of Iran and a detailed statistical report about them in various parts of the world, the causes of girls missing educational opportunities and the effective means and precedures by which difficulties and obstacles that come out can be removed.


The Islamic Revolution; a Movement towards Womens Literacy and Development
Shahnaz Kurd Zanganah
Over six years before the brith of Islamic Revolution, about 52 percent of the population in Iran were illiterate, 83 percent of whom were rural women. Following the birth of the Islamic Revolution and after Imam Khomeini had issued a decree in A.H. (solar) 1358 to start a large-scale project against illiteracy, such great advances were made in this field that the number of those who attended the classes which this project organized reached 27 million in A.H. solar 1382 including about 20 million women. One of the important effects of this full-fledged scientific project, which the Islamic Republic of Iran gave rise to, was that women gained the same opportunities of learning as men.
This essay focuses on the process of organizing the programs which have been carried out or have not been completed yet and on the achievements ascribed to this project which aimed to spread literacy.

A Look at Women Education in Iran and the Priorities
Zuhra Mir Hussayni
Statistics show that 24.5 percent of the girls in the world who ought to get education cannot benefit from free education. In Iran, the statistical survey made in A.H. (solar) 1375 shows that the number of illiterate women was over six million. This certainly has a negative effect on the family and on raising children. Accordingly, providing opportunities for girls and women, who form half the number of the population of the country, is an important step for developing human resources. Setting right the cultural factors which have negative effects on women education and contribute to sexual discrimination should be the first step. If we make an educational assessment of the priorities in womens education, we can understand general and specific instructions and make appropriate plans. The research shows that the priorities of womens education, especially rural women and housewives, are: information on hygienic standards, social affairs, religion and technical and professional teachings.


Chastity as a Culture, Damages and Approaches
Husein Sharif
Chastity is considered as one of the most significant indications of healthy life in the Islamic society. Islamic veil (hijab) which makes a clear distinction between an Islamic society and non-Islamic society is evaluated and interpreted in terms of this criterion (chastity).
The question what results have been achieved from the study of the functions as to womens chastity the Islamic government has had during the last twenty-five years, is an important question around which the discussion revolves.
The writer has conducted an interview with a few authorities and experts on religious and social subjects to discuss expertly the question of womens chastity in our society after the Islamic Revolution. The participants are as follows: Mrs. Tayyibeh Mirzaeskandari, a junior expert on social sciences and a researcher on womens affairs (Tehran), Hojjat al-Islam Mahdi Mehrizi, a university professor and a resarcher on religious affairs (Qum), Dr. Husein Sadeqi, a sociologist and a university professor (Tehran), and Hojjat al-Islam Dr. Gholamreza Seddiq Owrái, a sociologist and a university professor (Mashhad).


Islamic Veil (hijab) and Make-up, Harms and Strategies
Womens Studies and Researches Office-Qum
The fact that the Islamic government in Iran has not succeeded fully to institutionalize certain Islamic and revolutionary values, including Islamic veil, poses the question before the authorities, managers and those who are interested in the Islamic system in Iran that what the reasons are and what can be done to overcome the problems in this regard. Policy-makers and planners weakness in cultural views and conceptions, the lack of a comprehensive view and inconsistencies in the governments executive branch are the three main issues which can be taken into consideration in this analysis.
Womens Studies and Researches Office has taken into consideration a set of factors and causes in the evaluation of the present condition of the Islamic veil and make-up in society during the last twenty-five years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution and has made efforts to provide the governmental authorities and officials and those who are responsible in cultural affairs with strategies and approaches to find the way out of this terrible condition. Though this analysis may have not only some useful points that require much more reflections but also some remarkable guidelines which can be used in the scientific analysis of the issue in question which can attract the attention of those who have undertaken responibility in cultural affairs.


Women, Their Participation in Social Activities, Opportunities and Threats
Seyyed Muhammad Reza Huseini
Nowadays no one can deny the role women play in society. However, the extent to which this role is played, and the question whether it is a threat or an opportunity is the subject of controversy which, on the whole, have stirred up three approaches among Muslim thinkers since the constitutional government came to power in Iran.
This article seeks to explore opportunities for women such as participation in scientific research centers, taking up employment, working as a judge or a manager, having a part in enjoining the right and forbidding the evil, their teaching career and the pathology of their participation or the lack of participation in social activities.


A Free Interpretation of Maryam Kazimzadeh and Martyr Asghar Visalis Lives
Manijeh Armin
Womens engagement in defensive warfare to protect their newly-established and divinely-based Islamic government originates in the Islamic teachings of the early Islam, suggesting the summit of womens self-sacrifice in fostering religious values. The great number of women who engaged in the sacred defensive warfare and the ones who were martyred or held captive by the enemy reveals the fact that, in the light of Islamic government, both Iranian men and women could equally engage in the defensive warfare to defend the foundations of their own religion which had already been threatened by the enemy.
Maryam Kazimzadeh is one of the women journalists who took part in war fronts and, in the meantime, found his true love and married Asghar Vesali, who was later died a martyr. The sacrificing spirit of Asghar Vesali and his union with his real Beloved, God, is the theme of this story in which womens endeavor and struggles in the sacred defensive warfare are depicted.


Everlasting Figures, Everlasting Experiences
Maryam Agha Sheikh Muhammad
The Islamic Revolution created ample equal opportunities for men and women to express themselves, fulfill their desires, expectations and realize their potentialities in various fields, but women made relatively greater and more brilliant achievements in all social domains than men and there appeared thousands of prominent influential figures in various scientific, cultural, political, artistic, educational, managerial domains, and even made supreme sacrifice at the sacred defensive warfare.
Now, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, 25 people from various groups who are engaged in a variety of political, scientific, artistic, cultural and social activities have been selected not only to provide the youth with the opportunity to make use of their everlasting experiences in their lives but also to make them familiar with their different attitudes and capabilities in various fields to bear witness to the greater number of educated women who participate in social activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.


Publications about Women and Family Over the last twenty-five Years
Zohreh Mirhuseini
The remarkable growth of publications after the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, especially during the last decade, is to be taken as an important index of development. Although the publications about women and family, especially in the early stages of the Islamic Republic achieved low growth due to the problems raised during the imposed war and the prevailing circumstances of the day, the exponential growth in publications in the following years shows that this subject has become the major concern in society so that in 1380 AH (solar) about 130 books have been published in this field. Of course, our emerging and developing society still feel the need to follow this developing course to the extent that the new books under various titles which are published under various titled every year may increase to include all the issues concerning women and family.

A Descriptive Bibliography of Twenty five Selected Books on Women and Family
Gulam Rida Guli Zwara
The Islamic Revolution in Iran, which represents one of the best examples about womens social and political participation, is such an exciting change that sociologists could not help but delve into its various a spects and reconsider the theories about it.
Sociologists speculations and investigations contributed to the compilation of the valuable books which concern womens needs and their cultural and social condition.
This article attempts to introduce in a descriptive method a collection of books on women, family, Islamic hijab (veil) and decency written in the years that followed the Revolution. The collection consists of twenty-five books on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
When compared with the hundreds of books published after the Revolution on women and family, the books of this collection are comparably few in number. On the other hand, these books are included in the list as examples and they are not necessarily the best of the books which have been published. The variety of issues and different areas of researches, the modern techniques, the suggestion of fundamental questions, and the considerable attention given to the practical and strategic sides are of special significance in selecting this bibliography. The books in the bibliography have been arranged in alphabetical order.