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The Iranian Woman

 

Since 1979 Iran has been an Islamic Republic where women must where a “veil”, the hjab, in public, whether they be Iranian or even just guests in the Iranian territory; to the eyes of the West this seems like a violation of women’s rights and a symbol of submissiveness to men.

 

First of all, “Islamic” dress code is not only limited to the female world because there are also rules for men; the interpretations of the hjab itself are far more varied than one would imagine: ranging from a dustcoat and headscarf to longer clothes such as the chador, a long piece of fabric that completely covers the body.

 

Travelling in Iran one can see a great difference in female dress code from city to city, according to the district, age and social class. The hjab is not worn as a traditional costume but because religious faith is greatly felt and practised. It was introduced to create equality among different social classes and in order to “enhance individual interiority”.

 

UNDER THE HJAB OF IRANIAN WOMEN
DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

 

This obligation, however, has not relegated women to a marginal role or to a mere shadow that walks the streets. Iranian women have been able to make their mark filling key roles in Society.

In fact, women can train as lawyers, can become Mayor, ministers and are important in the fields of research, Medicine and Architecture.

 

Some figures:

Iranian women have had the right to inheritance for over 1300 years. There has been a female association since 1906.

Women have had the right to vote since 1920 (in Switzerland since the 60s).

Currently 70% of university students are women.

They cover 50% of work positions.

 

The following roles are filled by women:

The Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran;

The Director of the University of Tehran (the most important in Iran);

The Nobel Prize winner for peace 2003 (Shirine Ebadi);

First prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002 as emerging film director;

First prize for best direction at the Cannes Film Festival 2003;

Sciohre Aghdashlu, nominee for best actress at the Oscars 2003;

 

Not even femininity has been “repressed”: under the veils that have become ornaments, sprout rebellious hairstyles and toned and harmonious bodies appear through elegant dustcoats, to underscore the innate beauty of these people.

 

In any case, wherever they go and whatever they wear, the important thing is that they are shown respect and that they are not covered by the veil of ignorance.

 

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