Examination of Women's Exclusion from Certain Political and Social Positions

Abstract

One of the critical issues in the field of contemporary political activism is the examination of women's social status and their political-social roles and functions in various relationships and interactions. The increase in women's awareness and higher education, as half of the active population of society, has altered their position and status in both society and family. Women's entrepreneurial activities have gained significant global importance, offering economic, social, and cultural benefits. Therefore, the strategies of a developed society must be based on the active participation of women in economic, political, and social affairs. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method to investigate the issue of women's employment—or, more precisely, their occupation of political and social positions—within the statutory laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The findings indicate that the initial impression is undoubtedly one of a clear divergence of positions between these two sources. In reality, the convention presents itself as a defender of women's rights by advocating for their political and social participation, thereby creating the perception that the Islamic perspective is in opposition to this right. These conflicts have led to Iran's non-accession to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, further fueling claims that the Islamic Republic of Iran violates women's rights. However, in Islamic thought, women have always been a significant subject, with their ultimate aspirations lying in higher matters, particularly in actively contributing to the upbringing of an Islamic society. Undoubtedly, a historical examination of this issue would greatly contribute to clarifying the matter and enhancing theoretical discussions. This article seeks to address the question of how the Women's Convention and Iranian statutory laws approach the right to employment—or, in other words, women's occupation of political and social positions—and how the manifestations of this right have been reflected in the mentioned legal sources.