Head of Women's Basij: Judiciary Should Confront Gender Equality Advocates

The head of the Women's Basij has deemed Iran's commitment to the UN for achieving 'gender equality' as 'against the law' and has called on the judiciary to confront these efforts. According to Mehr News Agency, Minou Aslani stated on Saturday, October 5, at a press conference, that activities aimed at creating 'gender equality' are 'against the interests of women.' Aslani also criticized some groups for 'exaggerating violence against women' in Iran, stating that 'this is a path that has led to the isolation of women in the West, and unfortunately, some are following this outdated Western model in the country, which is against human nature.' The head of the Women's Basij added that 'this ideological current aims to distort the identity of Iranian women by exploiting women's issues.' She criticized the UN campaign for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, titled 'Orange the World,' claiming it suggests 'women should not devote their love and affection to their families.' Aslani questioned government officials on why they should commit to the UN to achieve gender equality in the next 15 years. She mentioned that 'it has been heard that a memorandum has been signed to equally distribute jobs between women and men,' but did not specify who or which organization signed this memorandum with the UN. She also criticized those who consider the marriage of 17-year-old girls as a form of violence against women, stating that 'marriage at a young age is a source of pride.' During the press conference, Aslani urged the judiciary to intervene regarding the promotion of such 'ideas' in society. She stated that a questionnaire designed by some individuals regarding the performance of agencies in the field of 'gender equality' is 'against the law' and 'the judiciary must take action.' This Basij official did not name the implementers of this plan but criticized the performance of the Vice Presidency for Women and Family Affairs. She also stated that 'the judiciary must address the violations of some individuals and their meetings with spies.' Aslani regarded women's work in mixed-gender environments as a form of 'violence' against women in Iran, claiming this issue 'endangers women's security.' Previously, officials and commanders of the Basij organization had criticized the bill for Iran's accession to the 'Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict,' opposing the actions of President Hassan Rouhani's government. In July of this year, Rouhani submitted the bill for Iran's accession to the Optional Protocol to the parliament. This optional protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been joined by Iran since 1993. The bill must be debated in the parliament, but the Basij commander opposed it, stating that 'Iran's membership in the Children's Convention is against Sharia and public interest.' Mohammad Reza Naqdi added that 'asking our youth to lay down their weapons and go home is a regression, and our Basijis will never regress; this is not possible.' Ali Fazli, the deputy commander of the Basij, also stated that membership in the Children's Convention means 'we have given up our strength and are begging instead.'