Iranian women battle for better parliamentary representation
- 12 years ago
These posters in Tehran show female candidates in the upcoming Iranian parliamentary elections.
Yet only days ahead of the March 2 vote, Iranian women say greater support is needed for female candidates who could better represent their concerns.
(SOUNDBITE)(Farsi) WOMAN MEDIC, LADAN GOHARVAR, SAYING:
"Iranian women have always been active in the different sectors of society. In my opinion they will also be active in the elections and vote. Regarding the campaign of the female candidates, they are usually a little weaker."
Discriminatory laws on issues such as employment and inheritance affect women on a daily basis in the country.
In 1998 parliament overwhelmingly rejected a bill that would give the same inheritance rights to women as to men, with an Iranian lawyer saying the proposal was contrary to Sharia law.
There are currently only nine female parliamentarians out of a possible 290 seats.
One female parliamentary candidate says it is imperative more opportunities are created for women.
(SOUNDBITE)(Farsi) WOMAN LAWMAKER AND CANDIDATE FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, FATEMEH AJORLOU, SAYING:
"At the moment women form 68 percent of university entrants, so there should be more opportunities for women in sensitive sectors like lawmaking. We must introduce them to society and society must vote for them."
According to Iranian media, the number of female candidates who registered for the upcoming election has dropped by 33 percent compared to last year.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters
Yet only days ahead of the March 2 vote, Iranian women say greater support is needed for female candidates who could better represent their concerns.
(SOUNDBITE)(Farsi) WOMAN MEDIC, LADAN GOHARVAR, SAYING:
"Iranian women have always been active in the different sectors of society. In my opinion they will also be active in the elections and vote. Regarding the campaign of the female candidates, they are usually a little weaker."
Discriminatory laws on issues such as employment and inheritance affect women on a daily basis in the country.
In 1998 parliament overwhelmingly rejected a bill that would give the same inheritance rights to women as to men, with an Iranian lawyer saying the proposal was contrary to Sharia law.
There are currently only nine female parliamentarians out of a possible 290 seats.
One female parliamentary candidate says it is imperative more opportunities are created for women.
(SOUNDBITE)(Farsi) WOMAN LAWMAKER AND CANDIDATE FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, FATEMEH AJORLOU, SAYING:
"At the moment women form 68 percent of university entrants, so there should be more opportunities for women in sensitive sectors like lawmaking. We must introduce them to society and society must vote for them."
According to Iranian media, the number of female candidates who registered for the upcoming election has dropped by 33 percent compared to last year.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters