Iran

In Tehran, Iran, a female supporter of election candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi shows 
Persian writing on her hands that reads: 'Women should have same rights as men.' LINK

Population: 76,923,300
Capital: Tehran
Language: Persian- 58%

Religion: Muslim-98%

Life Expectancy: 69.77 years

GDP per Capita: $11,200 US

• There was a UN convention on the elimination of All Forms of discrimination against women status as of January 2008, Iran is one of the very few countries that has neither singed nor ratified the treaty. 
• Lesbians are criminalized in national law- more then 4000 women have been executed for homosexuality since 1979.

• State law restricts women’s movements and dress

• 39 women die each week from breast cancer

• Fewer then 50% of girls are enrolled in primary school

• Women gained the vote in 1963
• Under 5% of women in government

Check out this short video- “10 facts about women in Iran” ...crazy eh?    

During my research of women in Iran I happened to come across a very influential Iranian woman. Her name is Shirin Ebadi, the more I read about her the more I was amazed at everything she has done and is doing for her country. She is a former judge, a lawyer and she founded the Centre for the Defense of Human Rights in Iran. In fact, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts for democracy and human rights particularly fighting for the rights of refugees, children and women, she was the first Muslim woman and the first Iranian to ever receive the prize. How incredible is that! However it hasn’t been easy for her, during the Iranian revolution in 1979 she was demoted from a judge to a secretarial position because conservative clerics insisted that Islam does not allow women to be judges. It was not until 1993 that Ebadi was able to practice as a lawyer once again. She has written many books and articles, and is now a campaigner for strengthening the legal status of children and women. If you’re interested you can check out her short autobiography HERE.


“The condition of women in Islamic societies as a whole is also far from desirable. However, we should acknowledge that there are differences. In certain countries, the conditions are much better and in others much worse.”—Ebadi


“Whenever women protest and ask for their rights, they are silenced with the argument that the laws are justified under Islam. It is an unfounded argument. It is not Islam at fault, but rather the patriarchal culture that uses its own interpretations to justify whatever it wants.”—Ebadi


“Women are the victims of this patriarchal culture, but they are also its carriers. Let us keep in mind that every oppressive man was raised in the confines of his mother's home.” –Ebadi


Above are three quotes from Shirin Ebadi, they definitely make you think. In fact she makes you think, she is a woman that has done so much but yet she comes from a country were most women would most likely never even dream of achieving what she has achieved. I think she is an example of hope for those women and for women all around the world. She gives women hope that we can and should stand up for our rights!

Shirin Ebadi