As part of this event, Mohammad Reza Salehi, a doctor of international relations at Tehran University, shared his views with 24.kg on the status of women in modern Iranian society.
Salehi emphasized that Iranian women have played an important role in the development of the country.
“Their dedication, creativity, and resilience have contributed to significant transformations. Women actively participate in fields such as science, culture, economy, sports, politics, and social life, which not only defines the path of societal development but also supports their vital role in the family. Their contribution fosters sustainable development and social progress,” he noted.
Education is one of the key aspects. According to the progressive principles of the Constitution, the education system in Iran provides free education until the end of high school and equal access to higher education for all.
“Political initiatives, such as the Charter of Rights and Duties of Women and modern laws regarding education, have played an important role in reducing the gender gap and creating equal opportunities for women. These achievements have allowed Iran to take confident steps towards educational justice and empowerment for women, becoming a successful example,” Salehi continued.
Impressive statistics show that in 2022, about 59.1 percent of students in Iranian universities were girls.
Thus, more than half of the students are women, confirming the existence of equal opportunities in obtaining higher education. If half a century ago women had almost no access to higher education, now their numbers have increased more than 56 times.
Women also hold teaching positions. According to statistics, in 2020, 34 percent of the academic staff in Iranian universities were women. This underscores that women are not only students but also active participants in the academic environment, representing an important part of the knowledge system in the country,” Salehi added.
To support talented youth, Iran has established a National Fund for Gifted Students, which provides unique opportunities for development. Of the 62,000 budget places offered by the fund, 16,000 were occupied by girls.
Salehi noted that according to Iranian legislation, women's participation in politics and access to leadership positions is their right.
“In recent years, significant steps have been taken to increase the representation of women in key state and leadership positions, based on the principles of fairness and competence. As a result, the share of women in leadership positions in state institutions has increased from 12 to 30 percent.
By the end of 2022, among 2,246,397 employees of state organizations, 56 percent were men and 44 percent were women. By the end of 2024, a change to 55 percent men and 45 percent women is projected, indicating a commitment to gender equality,” he emphasized.
According to Mohammad Reza Salehi, the number of women in leadership positions in Iran has more than doubled from 2020 to 2023: from 19,597 to 42,396.
“Since last summer, the new government has been actively working to involve women at a high level of political governance:
• more than 190 have been appointed to top leadership positions;
• 4 are part of the 14th cabinet of ministers;
• 14 head national agencies under the president;
• 13 are deputy ministers,” he added.
In recent years, Iranian women have achieved significant success in sports, and their participation in competitions, both domestically and internationally, is steadily increasing.
“The development of sports infrastructure, the creation of specialized leagues for women, and support from sports institutions have opened new opportunities for girls and female athletes. Today, Iranian women are achieving outstanding results in sports such as taekwondo, karate, shooting, wushu, rowing, athletics, and futsal, winning medals at world and Asian championships. Their achievements at the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and world championships testify to the rising standards of training and professionalism of coaches in women's sports. The expansion of private clubs, the increase in the number of girls in sports schools, and the growing media attention to women's sports also contribute to strengthening this trend,” he noted.
The expert concluded that the status of women in Iran continues to improve. “Nevertheless, there remains significant potential, and there is hope that we will witness further expansion of women's roles in society,” he added.
