This document discusses the role and treatment of women under conservative interpretations of Islam in Iran. It notes that women were seen as irrational beings worth less than men, and were expected to obey male relatives and traditional norms. The 1979 Iranian Revolution brought even stricter rules, banning women from many jobs and requiring compulsory veiling. However, some women protested and pushed for reforms to women's rights and legal status over the following decades.

2.  Koran
 Shia Islam- Women presumed to be
irrational beings
 Worth less than men
 Religious conservative traditionalist
(fundamentalist)
 Women themselves, Those women who
remain loyal to the Islamic state
 Hejab (veil) marker of oppression

3. Urges men to manage household affairs
Declares that women’s obligation is to remain loyal
to their husband
Polygamy encourages, no limit to the number of
wives a man can have
Prophet Mohammed had 13 wives and 3
concubines

4. oAlso referred to as
fundamentalist
oAdvocate close adherence to
Islamic law
oEnforce how women should
behave, and dictate how
women should dress
oSelect sacred text of the Koran
to assert their dominance
oBelieve in compulsory veiling
oMaintain gender segregation

5.  Women’s perception of themselves and
men’s perception of women
 Women’s obligation to follow traditional
norms
 Women deemed weaker and
compassionate
 Compassion is perceived as an
impediment for the punishment of wrong
doers

6. 1960-1979, women protested the oppressive regime of the Shah Reza Pahlavi.
Many female activist were imprisoned and tortured
1979-1989 Iran Women’s Movement. The new regime was under Ayatollah
Khomeini, instituted compulsory veiling, and removed women from professional
positions. Women judges barred from office & took to look for administrative
positions. In response, women wore the veil in defiance to his ruling
1989- Khomeini's death marked the beginning of the reformist period
1992 were able to enforce a law demanding wages for household work
1997 presidential election, women called for reform the law which barred women
from becoming president, nine women stood as a form of protest. Mohammad
Khatami won the election and announced publicly that women’s aspirations
should be acknowledged. Under Khatami, restrictions on women’s education on
studying abroad were removed, family planning and divorce laws were
amended and women were appointed as judges
Participated in presidential elections of 2000 and 2001

7. According to Fazeh Hashemi, feminism is about defending
women’s rights and fighting for the equal rights of men and
women. “ Women’ movement in Iran aimed at terminating
gender discrimination and creating civic society of equal
opportunities for both men and women”
Conservatives attacked feminist by defining feminism as female
domination, unrestrained behavior and lesbianism

8. Symbol of the women’s struggle
During 1977-79, women wore the veil in defiance against the
shah. Women poured into the streets shouting, “Freedom
does not impose rules and regulations.”
Tool of empowerment when wore with personal choice
Worn in the streets as a form of protection from sexual
harassment

9.  Regarded as indecent
 Compared to a prostitute
 Suppose to feel powerless
 Perceived as being influenced by the
West’s ideologies of capitalism
 Not a suitable partner for a Muslim man
 Anti-shah and as a rebel to Islam
 In 1983, the punishment for not wearing
the veil was 74 lashes

10.  Some women co-opted, followed the
regulations imposed by the state. By
following regulations & remaining compliant
women were able to further their education
 Defied court rulings, challenged laws,
demanded wages and reforms to laws
 Women’s newspapers advocated women’s
participation in politics
 Female film makers present women’s roles
as mothers

11.  Tool that contains female sexuality
 For modernist, it symbolizes
backwardness and is a cultural marker of
differences
 The cause of gender segregation and
homosexual practices because men
marry women without seeing their
physical appearance.
 Perceived as a tool that shield women
from the lustful gaze of men

12.  Represents purity
 Obligation is to stay at home & take care
of the family
 Can only be intimate with one man who
is her husband