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| นิตยสาร สารคดี: ฉบับที่ ๒๑๗ เดือนมีนาคม ๒๕๔๖ | ISSN 0857-1538 | |||
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| Story: Amporn Jirattikorn Photo: Jakkapan Kangwan | |||
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One of the most distinguishing features of Iranian women is their costume--they are dressed in a dark-colored overcoat and their hair covered in "hijab," leaving only their face and hands exposed. To many Westerners, this "dress code," which has been written into law, is an obvious infringement of women's rights. Though enforcement of the law is much more lax these days, failure to observe the dress code is by law a crime punishable by up to 2 months in prison. But many Iranian women view that loose clothes and hijab allow them to be judged more based on who they are and what they do, not the way they look. While Westerners may associate hijab with the lack of freedom, many women in Iran consider dressing in revealing clothes immoral and dangerous, and thus wear hijab as a statement of decency and virtue. They wish for increased freedom and rights, but not the rights to be fashionable or sexy, but rather legal and political rights. |
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Compared to other Muslim countries, Iran is considered in the forefront in terms of women's education, work opportunities and political involvement. As of 2001, women constituted around a third of the country's government workforce. 60% of university-level students were female. There have been a sizeable number of female film directors, House representatives, high-ranking officials and even a vice president. Despite the significant roles they play, Iranian women are still treated as second-class citizens when it comes to legal rights. Under the Islamic law, female witnesses' testimony in court carries only half the weight of that of men. Women are not allowed to go abroad without permission from their husband or parents, not qualified for scholarships to study abroad, and not able to have custody of their children if their husband dies or divorces them. |
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It will take time and countless struggles before such institutional and legal biases against women are eliminated in Iran. But there are already signs of changes. Enforcement of social orders according to the Islamic law has been less stringent as demonstrated by the presence of shops displaying modern clothes and teenager couples holding hands in parks. Several recent movies focus on womens' issues. Female politicians have been more vocal in demanding for change in women's status. The struggle for improved conditions of Iranian women is not without obstacles, however. There are conservative forces within the country that resist changes. At what pace the status of women will change remains to be seen. One thing certain is that the new generation, which makes up a significant portion of Iran's population, will play a decisive role in shaping the future of the country and the fate of its women. |