Iran Gender Inequality
Gender inequality is a widespread problem. All around the world, we see women starting to fight back for their rights. Feminism is pushing to solve problems everywhere from reproductive rights to equal wages. Islamic feminism, on the other hand, is fighting on a whole other platform, especially in Iran. Iranian women live under the rule of a theocratic government, meaning that the country is ruled by the law of the Sharia, or the “law of God” in Islamic tradition. It might seem that women’s rights could not be possible in a patriarchal country like Iran, but it can. Before the Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran made huge advancements towards women's rights. When the revolution did come women found themselves regarded as second class citizens,
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Prior to this, the country was under the rule of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who made women's rights a priority in his pursuit to “modernize, Iranian society” (Kunkler 376). Among the most important laws, the Shah introduced the Family Protection Law in 1967, and in 1975, it was further changed in better favor of women. First, this law puts restriction on polygamy and made the grounds of getting a divorce similar for men and women (Kunkler 376). Before this man could declare divorce, abandoning their families, and leaving women to support their families on their own. Also, previous to this law, women who were stuck in abusive marriages had no support or resources available for them. This law made it so now women could ask for a divorce without fear of getting penalized. Secondly, this law implemented new restrictions on child custody. Prior to this husbands were usually awarded custody of children (Kunkler 376). This law made it so that women who were asking for a divorce could trust that custody of their children wouldn’t just be given to their husbands. Instead custody would be given to whichever parent was better suited to care for them. Lastly, the Family Protection Law was “written into every marriage contract as a way to render the marriage ‘Islamically legitimate’” (Kunkler 376). Every marriage had to follow these rules, ensuring the rights of both partners and their children within a
Prior to this, the country was under the rule of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who made women's rights a priority in his pursuit to “modernize, Iranian society” (Kunkler 376). Among the most important laws, the Shah introduced the Family Protection Law in 1967, and in 1975, it was further changed in better favor of women. First, this law puts restriction on polygamy and made the grounds of getting a divorce similar for men and women (Kunkler 376). Before this man could declare divorce, abandoning their families, and leaving women to support their families on their own. Also, previous to this law, women who were stuck in abusive marriages had no support or resources available for them. This law made it so now women could ask for a divorce without fear of getting penalized. Secondly, this law implemented new restrictions on child custody. Prior to this husbands were usually awarded custody of children (Kunkler 376). This law made it so that women who were asking for a divorce could trust that custody of their children wouldn’t just be given to their husbands. Instead custody would be given to whichever parent was better suited to care for them. Lastly, the Family Protection Law was “written into every marriage contract as a way to render the marriage ‘Islamically legitimate’” (Kunkler 376). Every marriage had to follow these rules, ensuring the rights of both partners and their children within a