Women in Iran

Women in Iran have played diverse roles and contributed to various aspects of society, economy, and culture. For centuries, traditional gender norms in Iran confined women primarily to the domestic sphere, with expectations to manage the household and raise children.

During the Pahlavi era (1925–1979), social reforms introduced women's rights and advanced gender equality. Notable changes included the abolition of mandatory wearing of the hijab, granting of women's suffrage, opening universities to women, enforcement of equal pay for men and women, and the right for women to hold public office and serve in parliament. These reforms marked a gradual change and transition towards a more modern and egalitarian society.

Following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, although Articles 20 and 21 of the new Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran proclaim equal rights for men and women, many laws enacted after the revolution resulted in substantial restrictions on the rights of Iran's women. Women are required by law to wear the hijab in public and must cover their hair and bodies, except for the face and hands. Non-compliance with the fundamentalist Islamic dress code can lead to legal penalties and, in some cases, violence, including death by government authorities.

In the 21st century, international criticism of Iran's treatment of women has intensified, in light of the suppression of women's protests, arbitrary arrests, and police violence against women accused of violating dress codes. Cases of femicide, are perpetrated by family members in the name of "family honor" although illegal.