Women and Politics in the Islamic Republic of Iran : Action and Reaction

Women and Politics in the Islamic Republic of Iran looks at the rise and role of female activism in Iran since the 1979 Revolution. Since 1979 women have played a decisive role in elections and assumed political posts. This study assesses this role as well as the impact of domestic and international policies on women's activism, highlighting the contradictions between politics and religion within the Islamic Republic. It also seeks to evaluate political and economic developments and the transformations in civil society, including the development of a gender conscious society. Women and Politics in the Islamic Republic of Iran features original research by Sanam Vakil, an Iranian-American scholar, who conducted interviews with women activists, politicians, journalists, clerics and students in Iran, Europe and the U.S. and used primary sources to specifically links women's activism to the domestic political changes in Iran. The book will be an essential resource for anyone studying Iranian politics and seeking to understand better the internal political and social dynamics in Iran and the critical role that women play. Women and Politics in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Action and Reaction 4 Contents 8 List of Tables 10 Acknowledgments 11 Glossary 13 A 13 B 13 C 13 D 13 E 13 F 13 G 14 H 14 I 14 J 14 K 14 L 14 M 14 N 15 O 15 P 15 Q 15 R 15 S 15 T 15 U 15 V 15 Z 15 To My Sister 16 1 Introduction: A Female Awakening Through a Century of Struggle 18 Notes 37 2 The Revolutionary Century Through the Eyes and Lives of Women 40 Notes 57 3 Khomeini: The Paradox and Politics of Religion 61 Notes 78 4 Defining and Redefining Activist Women 82 Gender Politics Through the Prism of Veiling 83 Traditionalists 92 Secularists 98 Islamists 99 Female Collaboration 105 Notes 109 5 Rafsanjani: The Road to Reform 116 Education 126 Labor 129 Legal Rights and Interpretations 133 Press 136 Sports Initiatives 140 Political Participation 140 Non-Governmental Organizations 143 Notes 145 6 Khatami: The Momentum and Challenge of Reform 152 Parliament and Party Politics 163 Communication and Media 167 The Student Network 170 The Ebadi Effect 173 Shifting Ground and Turning Corners 174 Notes 179 7 Ahmadinejad: Claim Making and Stagnating Reform 185 Strategy Shifts—The One Million Signatures Campaign 193 State Backlash 202 Notes 209 8 The Circles of Confrontation, Conciliation, and Contradiction 215 The 2009 Presidential Election: Everything Green and the Women In Between 216 Notes 231 Selected Bibliography 233 Appendix: Highlights of the Gains and Losses in Women’s Activism, 1960–2010 257 Index 260 1. Introduction: A Female Awakening Through A Century Of Struggle -- 2. The Revolutionary Century Through The Eyes And Lives Of Women -- 3. Khomeini : The Paradox And Politics Of Religion -- 4. Defining And Redefining Activist Women. Gender Politics Through The Prism Of Veiling ; Traditionalists ; Secularists ; Islamists ; Female Collaboration -- 5. Rafsanjani : The Road To Reform. Education ; Labor ; Legal Rights And Interpretations ; Press ; Sports Initiatives ; Political Participation ; Non-governmental Organizations -- 6. Khatami : The Momentum And Challenge Of Reform. Parliament And Party Politics ; Communication And Media ; The Student Network ; The Ebadi Effect ; Shifting Ground And Turning Corners -- 7. Ahmadinejad : Claim Making And Stagnating Reform. Strategy Shifts -- The One Million Signatures Campaign ; State Backlash -- 8. The Circles Of Confrontation, Conciliation, And Contradiction. The 2009 Presidential Election : Everything Green And The Women In Between -- Appendix: Highlights Of Gains And Losses In Women's Activism, 1960-2010. Sanam Vakil. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. An original collection of essays that aims to grasp Nietzsche's prescience through Heidegger's critique of his understanding of nihilism