WUNRN
IRAN - WOMEN - ELECTIONS - RIGHTS
ADVOCACY
Women
stand in line at a polling station during the presidential election in Qom,
Iran, June 14, 2013.
http://www.demotix.com/news/2152989/women-vote-iranian-presidential-elections-2013
IRAN - WOMEN'S SOCIAL MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR
CHANGES IN LAWS
June 7, 2013 - Under Iranian law, a woman is
considered the half of a man. Women are not equal to men. They are fighting for
equality. They have been organising for years to secure civic rights, such as
for divorce, in the workplace, custody of their children and the right to
travel. As it is today, they can benefit from these rights only under the
authority of a man in their family, such as their father or husband.
The government system in Iran does not
recognise any movement in which women are in the forefront. The fight for
rights has come at a high cost. For example, Narges Mohamadi lost her health in
prison; Nasrin Sotoudeh is serving an eleven-year sentence, and has been banned
from practising law for 20 years; Shiva Nazarahari, Jila Baniyaghoub and
Bahareh Hedayat have also been given long sentences.
In spite of all the pressures, women are
visible in Iranian society. They are present at universities, in
demonstrations, in the labour market and even as politicians in the national
assembly. They launch campaigns, such as the ‘million-signature’ petition
asking for changes to the law. As their activities develop, the regime has
moved to restrict their rights. For example, a law proposed by the government
of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad doesn’t let unmarried women under the age of 40 leave
the country without the permission of their fathers or brothers. Strangely,
women MPs supported this law.
Paradoxically, the government lowered the
voting age for women to 16 – the same as for men. Once polls are over, however,
even a candidate who proposed programmes in women’s favour forgot commitments
made towards 49 percent of the population of 77 million people.
Another election is under way. A considerable
number of the votes are women’s. In order to look at how women in Iran are
striving for rights, and to consider the obstacles in their way, we interviewed
activist Mansoureh Shojaee, a member of the Pen society in London, one of the
world’s oldest human rights and literary organisations.
Vida Samei, euronews: “With new elections in
Iran, women are not eligible to register as presidential candidates. As voters,
can they expect to see their demands realized?”
Mansoureh Shojaee: “Well, first of all, many
thanks for your attention to matters that are important to women in these
elections. Now, this business that women cannot be presidential candidates is
written in Article 115 of the Constitution. Women’s movements have objected to
this problem since 2005. They have also steadfastly tried to vote in the polls
because they consider the ballot box as a means for citizens to get their
rights. Women have not ignored elections, therefore. Instead, they have
participated, while at the same time criticising, objecting and demanding their
rights. We should wait and see to what extent the ballot box this time around
is representative of these demands. Women’s participation in the future will
depend on how much of what they are asking for is realised through their
voting.”
euronews: “What are the obstacles in Iran to
women achieving their rights?”
Shojaee: “Legal discrimination stands in
women’s way. To prevent these legal obstacles, rights activists have always
tried to show their objection to the relevant laws in a peaceful way. They have
achieved some things. There have been always challenges between the activists
and legislators and the executive.”
euronews: “What means do Iranian women have
to achieve their rights?”
Shojaee: “The only way the women’s movement,
as a new social movement in Iran, can move their rights forward is through a
change in the laws. Through their activities, the coalitions they have formed
and through their campaigns, women have conveyed their demand to the officials.
Society is aware of this. It should be possible to feel free; they should be
able to hold seminars comfortably, to write articles and to contact officials –
continuously communicate with the members of parliament. It should be made
possible for women to communicate with the legislators in parliament and with
the government about their demands. This is how we hope the existing laws can
be changed. Otherwise, women will always be challenged. This demand should be
pushed forward and it should be dealt with peacefully and wisely. Women
citizens have the right to object to discriminatory legislation. Officials
should be responsive and listen to these demands, so that this deadlock is
resolved and can help provide a peaceful, civilised life for all citizens,
particularly for women.”