Gender, Religion and the State in Iran International Perspectives on Gender Week 14

Structure of lecture Introduction and Context Gender and State in Iran up to 1979 The Iranian Revolution Gender and State in Islamic Iran Iranian Feminisms post-Revolution Video: A Conversation with Professor Leila Ahmed Variability and the need for Specificity

Context: Where is Iran? 18 th largest country in world Ancient Persia Urban settlement from 4,000 BC

Gender and State: 1920s to 1970s Rule of Shahs, hereditary monarchs Emphasis on modernity and progress, along European lines Women’s participation in public sphere increased ‘Unveiling’ of women from – Iranian women got the vote Marriage age increased, fertility rate declined Women symbolised the modernity of the nation

Defaced billboard, Jerusalem Iranian Women: Symbols of Modernity 1968: Female Nuclear Physics PhD students, Iranian Students pre-1979

Iranian Women’s Movement Iranian Women’s Social Movement for Women’s Rights ( ), campaigned for women’s education 1959 High Council of Women’s in Iran formed, focussed on women’s suffrage 1966 The Women’s Organization of Iran formed, in 1975 won Family Protection Law MC women opened up professional jobs, 1 st female cabinet minister in 1968 Differences between women important Women’s movements tolerated where fitted state agenda, little space for autonomous women’s movements From 1960s women symbolised the modernity of the Shah

Westernization Coup orchestrated by US and UK, 19 August 1953, to secure interests of Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP) Overthrew PM Mohammed Mosaddegh Reinstated absolute rule of Shah US supplied arms to Shah in 1970s Shah and Shahbanou meeting US President Jimmy Carter and 1 st Lady, Washington, 1977

1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran Shah overthrown and Islamic fundamentalists came to power under Ayatollah Khomeini Women as markers of the new Islamic order Western values rejected in favour of ‘pure’ and ‘authentic’ Islamic values Gender differences assumed Ayatollah Khomeini

Westoxification Saving women from ‘westoxification’ The symbolic MC urban woman – ‘excessive, loose’, unveiled Responsible for destroying the ‘real’ Iranian nation – a tool of Western imperialism Left-wing and nationalist as well as religious groups lamented ‘Tehrani ladies’

Compulsory Hijab for Women The ‘answer’ is for women to take up their shield, hijab, once more Ayatollah announced compulsory hijab – had already been adopted by many women supporters but was also opposed by many others Women removed from public sphere, segregated Iranian women opposing compulsory hijabIranian women waiting to vote

Iranian Feminism Post-1979 Over time Iranian women began regaining key rights in the public sphere - shortage of men - Iranian feminists making claims on basis of Qur’an ‘Bad hijab’ ‘Secular oriented feminists’ argue that religion and state must be separated in Iran if women are to achieve equality Not likely at present Women equal Men

Gender Scripts for Iranian Men Haremi: what has Revolution meant for men and masculinities? State is hypermasculine – exaggerating strength, discipline, self-reliance State is hypermasculine – exaggerating strength, discipline, self-reliance Mullahs (religious clerics): pious, strict, unemotional, eradicating Shah’s corrupt, soft rule, coded feminine, policing borders of Islamic practice Mullahs (religious clerics): pious, strict, unemotional, eradicating Shah’s corrupt, soft rule, coded feminine, policing borders of Islamic practice Martyrs: young, unmarried men, fearless in battle against Islam’s enemies, protecting its women, expecting to die bringing honour to family and perpetual blessings to themselves Martyrs: young, unmarried men, fearless in battle against Islam’s enemies, protecting its women, expecting to die bringing honour to family and perpetual blessings to themselves Ordinary men: patriarchal power within household reinforced but also constructed by the state as sexually out of control, requiring surveillance and coercion. Required to die in war and having poorer health outcomes. Ordinary men: patriarchal power within household reinforced but also constructed by the state as sexually out of control, requiring surveillance and coercion. Required to die in war and having poorer health outcomes.

Power Struggles in Iran 1997: moderate Mohammad Khatami elected President and era of modest reforms follows ‘Religious-oriented feminists’ in government sought progressive legislation Guardian Council used veto 2005: ultra-conservative Mahmūd Ahmadinejâdm elected President and clamps-down: hospitals refusing women entry unless fully covered; public hanging or stoning to death of women 2009: Ahmadinejâdm re-elected President amidst widespread support for Mir Hussein Mousavi Claims of election rigging and widespread demonstrations 2013: Hassan Rouhani elected President

Mohammad Khatami President Mahmūd Ahmadinejâdm President Hassan Rouhani President Ayatollah Alli Khamenei, Supreme Leader, 1989-

Interview with Prof Leila Ahmed 1.List all examples of interpretations of Islamic doctrine that are oppressive to women 2.How does Ahmed explain interpretations of the Koranic text which are oppressive to women? 3.Can Muslim women be feminists, according to Ahmed? 4.How does Ahmed explain the popularity of the veil for women? 5.What rights did Islam give women historically? 6.How does Ahmed explain the popularity of Islam today? 7.How do you think Ahmed herself relates to Islam?

Key Gender (In)Equality Indicators % Pop. with at leastMaternal Mortality % married women % economically Women’s share Secondary educationRate (per 100,000 using contraceptive active agedParliamentary ( )live births) ( ) 15+ (2009)seats (2011) Female Male(2008) Female Male Egypt Indonesia Iran Morocco Sudan Turkey Sources: Progress of the World’s Women , Human Development Report 2013, %20English.pdfhttp://progress.unwomen.org/ %20English.pdf