Elchin Hatemi - 19 February 2012
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| Elchin Hatemi |
Sexualized Society: “Culprit” Women
The androcratic world was formed through several historical processes that served to dominate men and deny women any authority in society. In this system, the elevation of men socially and physically opened the floodgates for the psychological, social, and biological exploitation of women, which ultimately deprived them of social development. The rise of patriarchal religions and philosophies played a prominent role in regulating this mentality. Male gods replaced female ones, and the status of women began to decline as the philosophical views and religious rules were used by those in power as the laws of their own governments. Patriarchal powers accused women of protesting against the divine power by not adhering to these rules and condemned them to execution. We can now acknowledge that sexualized, unjust governments, rooted in traditions and customs and governed by patriarchal rules, violate women’s rights under the guise of divine power.
The Patriarchal System: The First Signs of Social and Biological Exploitation
Men have grasped all social and power structures as a result of patriarchal historical processes, and all events in society emerged according to male-dominated perspectives. Thus, men became the founders of history, while women were relegated to the role of biological agents and markets. Despite the restoration of female law and equality in some states, many others remain dominated by primitive thought and mentality. In many Islamic countries, women continue to bear the burden of patriarchal systems and mentality. Research conducted over the years substantiates that women’s rights are violated considerably in Islamic countries, especially in those governed by Shari'ah law and sexualized societies.
The violation of women's rights in Islamic states depends on two main factors: the androcentric society built on religious, historical, and traditional foundations, and the theory of Shari'ah law. The combination of these two factors has led to severe restrictions and a deeply marginalized status for women. These approaches, however, vary from country to country. In this article, we will focus on Iran.
Iran: The Sexual and “Divine” Power
The situation and life experiences of women in Iran have been shaped by the combination of these two factors, especially after the Islamic Revolution. Women in Iran are granted minimal rights, as stipulated by the patriarchal Shari'ah regime established after the revolution and implemented by the current regime. They face discrimination not only socially but also legally. Today, women are subjected to violence both in the home and in social life. In his writings, Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari emphasized the new roles and duties for Iranian women, highlighting the rights they have under Islamic Shari'ah compared to Western standards. However, we know that women continue to be discriminated against and treated unjustly by the "divine" powers, which shape social thought through a process of Islamization.
All oppositional groups, including liberals and leftists, who emerged after the Islamic revolution, found that Ayatollah Khomeini and his supporters established a state based on traditional Islamic rules. As a result, women became a stratum exposed to all forms of restriction, with their rights exploited under the authoritarian regime.
The Early Days of Exploitation: Women's Rights Dragging Behind Black Veils
Women, considered protectors of Islamic ethics, have faced numerous legal violations by the state in social life. Ayatollah Khomeini issued a decree just three weeks after the revolution, making the veil mandatory. Women who opposed the new dress code faced severe punishment. Those protesting against the hijab and black veil in major cities were attacked with knives and firearms by men supporting Hezbollah. Some women were even executed, accused of being prostitutes. Starting in the 1980s, all women employed by the state were forced to wear the black veil. The black veil became a symbol of the Islamic government and a sign of independence for the Muslim ummah.
The Regime of Tesbeh (Rosary): Banning the Building of Totalitarian Columns
The pressures exerted by the newly established regime in Iran on women did not end there. Women were banned from many sporting activities and could only participate in a limited range of sports approved by the government. Women were excluded from politics and state-building activities. The doors of the press and entertainment centers were closed to women. Thousands of female teachers, state officials, and other women in various professions were forcibly dismissed from their posts. Between 1980 and 1985, approximately 40,000 female teachers were dismissed. In the media, schools, and universities, only rights and duties preordained by the state were propagated. For example, high school textbooks taught women how to raise children and cook. Sexual discrimination in society deepened day by day, and social relations between men and women were severely restricted. The Islamic regime presented all these restrictions as religious orders and divine obligations. These restrictions and injustices have persisted from 1979 to the present. The violence women face in society and the family continues to escalate.
Powerless Laws: Moral Values in the Nude
The regime, which combines Shiite and Persian traditions, dictates that the orders and pronouncements made by Khomeini are based on divine foundations. According to Chapter 10 of the Iranian Constitution, the Guidance Council, made up of Ayatollahs, presents the supreme religious leader of the country as a representative of God and the Mahdi—the owner of time—and grants him the power to issue orders regarding the personal lives of citizens, state authorities, the president, armed forces, the judicial system, media, and all other aspects of life. The Iranian Constitution contains many contradictory provisions concerning women. For instance, Article 21 outlines some rights for women based on ancient traditions and the sexualized society. Although Article 20 of the Constitution speaks of equal rights for men and women, Article 4 states that all civil, penal, financial, economic, administrative, cultural, military, political, and other laws must be based on Islamic criteria. This means that Article 4 effectively undermines the intent of Article 20, as Shari'ah law clearly discriminates between men and women. Recently, women’s-only restaurants have been established in some cities, and taxis driven by women have been put into circulation. However, the fact that fewer women are admitted to universities compared to men, and the existence of separate entrance doors for girls and boys at universities, even the separation of boys and girls into different rooms at kindergartens, hinders the development of society. Both the Islamic criminal law and the laws enacted after the revolution have clearly recognized that women have fewer rights than men in Iran. Men are granted rights over inheritance, marriage, divorce, and more. Even within the family, women cannot engage in any activity without the permission of their father, brother, or other male relatives. To obtain a passport, a woman must get written permission from her father, brother, or husband, certified by a public notary. These discriminations are reflected in the criminal law as well. Since conservative forces gained power, these laws have become more severe. Today, we can acknowledge that women in Iranian society are treated as slaves.
Colonial South Azerbaijan: Punishment for Women and Turkish Identity
This situation has a particularly negative impact on women in South Azerbaijan. As South Azerbaijan became a colony of the Iranian government from an economic and social standpoint, women in this region have suffered more than men. The Iranian government's reactionary policies in Azerbaijan have led to resources being heavily allocated to men, leaving women in South Azerbaijan further oppressed. The official statistics prove that the rights of Azerbaijani women are violated more than those of other ethnic groups in Iran.
The End: … or the Beginning of the End
To secure normal rights for Iranian women, the patriarchal regime must undergo a radical transformation. This can only happen through the joint efforts of both women and men. Changing the regime and establishing a democratic state based on equality of rights is essential. Most women's rights defenders in Iran primarily focus on issues related to Persian culture, Persian nationalism, and Persian history, with their efforts largely centered in Tehran, the capital. The problems faced by women who do not belong to the Persian ethnos are often overlooked in these discussions. One possible way out of the patriarchal religious regime is for all social groups, with their different cultures and ethnicities, to be taken into account. Without pluralism, victory over fanaticism will not be possible. A democratic outcome cannot be achieved by considering the issue from a single perspective.