Author: Dr. Sina*
One of the important actions following the liberation of Iran is the restoration of women’s true rights.
Before the Arab invasion and the arrival of Islam in Iran, women enjoyed a status that was in line with their dignity and position—rights and roles similar to the current status of women in advanced societies today.
Iranians, unlike the Arabs, did not consider women a disgrace nor did they bury them alive; instead, they regarded women as sacred and pure beings and held their status in high esteem.
In the drafting of the first Charter of Human Rights by Cyrus the Great (a symbol of the greatness and glory of that era), which stands as evidence of gender justice, Cyrus and the kings who followed him paid special attention to the status and dignity of women. At that time, pregnant women were not allowed to work, and by the order of Darius, a monthly allowance and ration were allocated to them until the birth of their child.
In ancient Iran, women were truly equal participants alongside men in all social activities at all times and places. They could even attain high religious ranks, which required mastering religious sciences to the highest levels.
Women in ancient Iran could participate alongside men in chanting the Yasna and conducting religious ceremonies, or even carry out such duties on their own. They were also allowed, at specific times, to guard the sacred fire.
Women in ancient Iran held such value and status that, in the Zoroastrian tradition, one day of the year was designated as Women’s Day. The people of Iran celebrated the 5th day of Esfand (Spandarmad) and called it the Festival of Women. On this day, it was customary for men to present valuable gifts to their wives. This ceremony, known as “Mazdegaran” in ancient Iran, was a way to honor and appreciate the efforts and contributions of women.
Men’s behavior toward women in ancient Iran was always courteous. Women enjoyed complete freedom both in their private lives and in social life.
In ancient Iran, women, like men, could learn military skills and even command armies. Lady Artemisia, who led Iranian troops against the Greeks, as well as other admirals whose eternal names are recorded in history, and Gordafarid, the guardian of Iran’s borders who stood against Sohrab, are examples of such women.
The beauty of Iranian civilization and its human culture becomes more evident here, as Iranian women had legal personalities equal to men. They could engage in the profession of law and even sit on the judicial bench as judges.
In other periods, before the influence of Islam in Iran, such as the Sassanid era, women held very high positions and participated as important members of society in various matters, to the point where they sometimes made final decisions. Among them, one can name several Iranian queens, including Azarmidokht, the daughter of Khosrow Parviz.
With the invasion of the Arabs and the arrival of Islam in Iran, the true status and value of women in society were disregarded, and women were exiled from the public sphere to the home and the harem. In a way, misogyny became prevalent.
By studying the Quran, one can understand the misogyny in Islam. A book that considers women half of men, considers women as impotent. It considers a woman’s testimony in court to be equal to half of a man’s, and the right of women to blood money or inheritance is different and less than that of men. The Quran explicitly permits slavery, captivity, and the taking of married women as spoils of war, and the possibility of having sex with a slave girl without her consent, child marriage, concubinage (Islamic fornication), and so on. Men can have sex with countless women, while if a woman does this, she will be flogged or stoned. Even in the description of Paradise and the reward of believers (men), the Quran mentions things such as virgin maidens (which are usually desirable for men, not women), which indicate the instrumental use of women.
Or laws like this that if a woman cheats on her husband, she will be stoned, but if a man cheats on his wife, he will only be flogged? Or are women always under the guardianship of men; before marriage, under the guardianship of a father, uncle, or brother, and after marriage, under the guardianship of a husband or son?!
The laws enacted are all patriarchal and in favor of men. Things like jealousy, honor, concubinage, dowry, mahram and non-mahram, hijab, etc. are religious concepts that originate from religious thoughts, all of which are directly or indirectly used to enslave and exploit women. It is no wonder that today the countries that violate women’s rights the most are Muslim countries!
The arrival of the Iran-building Pahlavi dynasty led to the re-emergence of women in society and their rights were restored. For example, women’s suffrage (as a supreme right) was approved in Iran earlier than in Switzerland. While in some Muslim countries, women still do not have the right to vote or have only recently been granted it! (with a delay of about 100 years compared to Iran) or the right to study, work, drive, and hold important jobs such as the ministry.
In the history of our country, the main people who opposed women’s and girls’ education, their presence in society or their voting were clerics and religiously minded people. Sheikh Fazlullah Nouri and Seyyed Hassan Modarres were prominent examples of such people. They knew very well that by getting women and girls to school and increasing their level of awareness, they would no longer be able to treat them like slaves under guardianship and continue to exploit and violate their rights. An effort that continued after the 1957 uprising, but fortunately did not come to fruition.
(Today, we are witnessing the impact of the laws enacted by the Pahlavi dynasty in civil disobedience, such as opposition to the mandatory hijab by zealous Iranian women and girls.)
Unfortunately, after the 1957 uprising and the occupation of the country by the Islamic Republic, as in all aspects of life, the mullahs tried to restrict women and, by enacting primitive laws, deprived women of the right to choose their clothing, travel, surgery, etc. So that if a woman needs surgical treatment, she must have the permission of a male person such as a father, brother, husband, or son (even if he is a minor) in the file, otherwise the surgery will not be performed easily for her.
Attending stadiums is another example of these violated rights that have not been fully resolved even with the force of international institutions.
Finally, some of the women’s rights that should be reformed in a free, democratic, and secular Iran are mentioned:
• The right to education without permission from father, husband, etc.
• Equal social rights such as employment based on merit, not gender bias
• Equal rights to hold important national jobs such as the presidency, parliament, army, etc.
• Equality, not that women are seen as half men in matters such as martyrdom, inheritance, blood money, etc.
• No need to obtain permission for your personal rights such as clothing, travel, work, surgery, etc.
• Having the right to divorce and child custody
• The right to adopt a child without marriage or have a child without marriage, for example, artificial insemination for those who do not want to get married but want to have children. (Single mom)
• Having an equal share in life and the ability to register property before marriage and not to share it with the spouse if they do not want to
• Proper and equal education of children without gender bias, for example, if a boy is free to have sex or come home late or go on a trip with his friends, etc. The daughter of the family also has equal rights in these areas and is not involved in blind social prejudices and is protected by the law so that she is not threatened with honor killings.
*Aesthetician and cultural and social activist