Officials Admit Women's Minimal Representation in Management Positions in the Islamic Republic

Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for the government of Mohsen Medicalian, announced that "out of 5,000 managerial positions in the country, fewer than 50 women are active in these roles." According to the news website Khabaronline, this government official acknowledged that the laws of the Islamic Republic "hinder women's advancement to managerial positions." Simin Kazemi, a sociologist, referring to World Bank statistics from 2023, stated: "The participation rate of women in Iran's workforce is only 14.4%, while the global average is 48.7%." This sociologist added that this figure is even lower than neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia at 34.5%, Turkey at 35.3%, and the United Arab Emirates at 55.4%. Kazemi reminded that Iran ranks 144th out of 146 countries in the women's economic participation index. Ardshir Garavand, a social researcher, also pointed to the high unemployment rate among educated women, saying: "The unemployment rate for educated women in Iran has reached 70%, while 95% of young women are literate and more than 50% are university graduates." Garavand added that this disparity fuels social discontent and the potential for violence in society. Shahla Kazemipour, a demographer, referred to the glass ceiling that prevents women's advancement in employment, stating that "women work hard in formal employment, but ultimately male managers hinder their progress." This demographer added that although women perform more precisely in technical jobs, there is no possibility for them to replace male managers. Ali Tajernia, former head of the Iranian Dental Association, emphasized the systematic discrimination of the Islamic Republic in specialized fields: "Many female dentists abandon their careers after marriage due to their husband's opposition or family responsibilities. This issue creates a contradiction between the number of graduates and active practitioners in the healthcare field." Meanwhile, Soha Qomrian, a member of the Central Council of the Islamic Association of Tehran University, stated against the officials of the Islamic Republic that many female students wish to emigrate due to government repression for imposing mandatory hijab and deprivation of access to higher education. According to the latest global data and expert statements, the level of employment and women's presence in management under the Islamic Republic is among the lowest in the world. The Deputy for Women in the Medicalian government considers "childbearing" essential. The Taliban prevent women's education in medical sciences; the U.S.: it is unfair. Filmmakers: The mandatory hijab law is a "full-scale war against the people of Iran." A proposed resolution in the European Parliament against the increasing repression of women in Iran.