Despite Iranian propaganda claims, women in Iran face systemic repression and severe restrictions on their civil and political rights, undermining any notion of a functioning democracy or gender equality.
On Feb. 22, 2025, the Benevolent Iranian Women Association hosted an event in Sydney, Australia, to “commemorate International Women’s Day.” Iran’s state-run Press TV covered the event, framing it as a counter to “misleading Western narratives” about women’s rights in Iran.
Press TV interviewed Australian Senator Fatima Payman, who was born in Afghanistan, and echoed this narrative:
“… incredible place that Iran is, allowing for women to participate in the workforce, to ensure that they have a voice, and their voices are heard. They’re involved in the democratic process …”
This statement is misleading.
1. Women’s civil and political rights.
While women in Iran have the right to vote, they face severe restrictions on their participation in political life.
Elections in Iran, though regular, are not fully democratic. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, controls every branch of government, including the military and judiciary, limiting the power of the elected president.
The Guardian Council, which is loyal to the supreme leader, approves or disqualifies political candidates. In the 2021 presidential election, the Guardian Council disqualified 74 of 80 registered candidates, approving only six, who were largely aligned with conservative interests.
Women can theoretically run for president or parliament, but the Guardian Council effectively blocks them from competing for the presidency, citing interpretations of the constitution. In 2021, former lawmaker Zohreh Elahian, who supported mandatory hijab laws, was disqualified from running for president.
Women hold just 4.9% of parliamentary seats, placing Iran among the lowest in terms of female political representation globally.
2. Women in the workforce.
Iran’s constitution enshrines the right for women to work, but in practice, legal and social barriers heavily restrict their participation in the workforce.
Despite accounting for more than 50% of university graduates, only 14% of Iranian women participated in the labor force in 2023.
Research from the World Bank and other institutions shows that women face discrimination and limited career advancement opportunities. Iran ranks 143rd out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Index.
3. Crackdown on free speech and assembly.
The United Nations Human Rights Council’s 2024 fact-finding mission condemned Iran for intensifying punitive measures against those exercising fundamental rights, particularly women and girls. In the year following Mahsa Amini’s death that sparked the 2022-2023 protests, the regime introduced harsher laws to suppress dissent and freedom of expression.
Journalists and activists face harsh punishments for speaking out. Two female journalists who initially reported on Amini’s death were sentenced to six and seven years in prison for charges including “spreading propaganda” and “collaborating with foreign governments.” Over 100 journalists, many of them women, have been arrested since the protests began.
Iran’s Press TV, which hosted Payman’s interview, is a state-controlled media outlet known for broadcasting forced confessions and propaganda. The United Kingdom and the European Union sanctioned it for human rights violations, including airing confessions extracted under duress.
4. Repressive legislation and violence.
Iran has passed repressive laws targeting women, such as the Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of Chastity and Hijab.
Amnesty International warns that the law could lead to the death penalty for peaceful protests against Iran’s compulsory veiling laws.
In 2024, Iran executed 31 women, the highest number since 2010. Iran is also one of only six countries that have not ratified the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, further illustrating its disregard for women’s rights.
Conclusion
While Iran’s constitution and rhetoric claim to support women’s participation in the workforce and democratic processes, these rights are severely restricted in practice. Women face legal, social and political barriers that significantly hinder their freedom of expression, political involvement and economic participation. The regime’s ongoing repression, particularly in response to recent protests, reflects the systemic discrimination and control that women in Iran continue to endure.
