Shahindokht Moulavardi, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs of Iran, stated on Wednesday, July 1, that the government made efforts towards allowing women into stadiums but refrained from pursuing the issue due to the stance of some Shia clerics. In an interview with Yelna, she said, "In the committee formed for this purpose, necessary investigations regarding women's presence in stadiums were conducted, and a protocol for the presence of women and families was drafted and signed. Despite plans for implementation, this was no longer pursued." In response to whether protests and gatherings caused women to retreat on this issue, Moulavardi stated, "When opponents mobilized support from senior clerics, the government, respecting their opinions, determined that these arrangements should be observed." Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a cleric from Qom, is among those opposing women's presence in stadiums. He deemed women's attendance at stadiums and concerts as "unnecessary" and a cause of "dispute". Concurrently, members of the Ansar Hezbollah protested outside the Ministry of Sports and Youth against the potential presence of women in Azadi Stadium for the World Volleyball League matches. Nonetheless, Moulavardi emphasized, "We have repeatedly stated that pursuing this issue does not mean we prioritize it over other demands of women and girls, nor have we halted our other activities to focus solely on this demand." Efforts by some women to watch volleyball matches between Iran and Brazil, as well as Iran and Italy last year, also made headlines, and following the bans on women's attendance in sports venues, the International Volleyball Federation withdrew hosting rights for several global competitions from Iran last year. In this context, representatives of the parliament admonished Moulavardi for criticizing the ban on women's presence in stadiums, while the police chief stated that preventing women's attendance at concerts and stadiums is their inherent duty. "Issuing permits for a limited number of women in Azadi Stadium" and allowing women in volleyball venues in Iran is "awaiting notification."
Moulavardi: The Government Did Not Pursue Women's Presence in Stadiums Out of Respect for Religious Authorities
Shahindokht Moulavardi revealed that the Iranian government halted efforts to allow women into stadiums due to opposition from religious authorities. This decision reflects the ongoing tension between progressive social policies and conservative religious views in Iran. The issue is significant as it highlights the struggle for women's rights and the influence of clerics in Iranian politics.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iranian government halted efforts to allow women into sports stadiums due to opposition from influential religious clerics.
- A protocol for women's presence in stadiums was drafted but not implemented.
- Opposition from clerics like Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi influenced the government's decision.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a history of restricting women's access to public spaces, reflecting the influence of conservative religious views.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%