For nearly forty years, the term 'political men' has prevented women from running for the presidency. The Guardian Council had announced in the recent presidential elections that women could register as candidates, but the issue of defining 'political men' has yet to be resolved within the Council. Throughout the history of the Islamic Republic, no female candidate has ever reached the final round of presidential elections, and the qualifications of all registered female candidates have been rejected by the Guardian Council without any reference to their gender. According to Article 115 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution, the president must be selected from among 'political and religious men', but the definition of 'political men' and who qualifies as such has always been a matter of dispute. Recently, Mohammad Yazdi, the Secretary of the Society of Teachers of Qom Seminary, requested that the terms 'political and religious men' be reviewed by the Guardian Council. This week's program discusses the concept of political and religious men, its definition, and the obstacles women face in running for the presidency, featuring two experts: Fatemeh Haqiqatjou, a former member of the sixth parliament, a political activist, and women's rights advocate residing in the U.S., and Hassan Farishtian, a legal scholar and religious researcher residing in France.
The Barrier of 'Political Men' in the Path of Women's Presidency
The term 'political men' has been a longstanding barrier for women seeking to run for the presidency in Iran. Despite recent announcements allowing women to register as candidates, no woman has ever made it to the final election round due to the Guardian Council's rejections. This issue highlights ongoing gender discrimination in Iranian politics.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Guardian Council continues to block women from presidential candidacy despite recent announcements allowing their registration. The definition of 'political men' remains a contentious issue, preventing any female candidates from reaching the final election rounds.
- No woman has ever made it to the final round of presidential elections in Iran.
- The term 'political men' is not clearly defined, leading to ongoing disputes within the Guardian Council.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran's political system is defined by a combination of Islamic law and republicanism, where gender roles are heavily influenced by conservative interpretations of religion.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%