Trailblazing Iranian Woman Takes the Helm as RPC Chairman for the Eastern Mediterranean

Iranian Trailblazer Named Chairperson of RPC for Eastern Mediterranean: A Historic Appointment

Farah Babaei, the head of the Midwifery Department of the health ministry, has recently been appointed as the new Chair of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Professional Committee (RPC) by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). This appointment is a significant milestone in advancing midwifery practices across the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The Eastern Mediterranean RPC is a critical structure within the ICM, responsible for directing, organizing, and coordinating professional activities among member countries in the region. Babaei brings over 35 years of professional experience in midwifery to this role, including 17 years in leadership positions within the Midwifery Department, as reported by IRNA.

Founded in 1922, the ICM has united professional organizations of midwives worldwide, working collaboratively to achieve its vision and mission. The organization offers several exclusive benefits to its member associations (Mas), such as:

  • Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and growth in midwifery.
  • Networking: Connecting midwives across the globe to share knowledge and experiences.
  • Leadership Support: Strengthening leadership skills among midwives.
  • Advocacy: Supporting improvements in midwifery education, regulation, and service provision.

The RPC plays an essential role in ICM’s broader initiative to enhance midwifery practice and strengthen associations across its six regions. The ICM divides the world into these regions to more effectively address the unique needs and challenges faced by midwives globally.

These committees are pivotal in communicating and implementing ICM’s work plans that focus on:

  • Midwifery Education: Strengthening educational frameworks and curricula.
  • Regulation: Ensuring high standards and practices in midwifery.
  • Research: Promoting evidence-based practices and studies in midwifery.
  • Practice: Enhancing midwifery services and outreach.

Empowerment of Iranian Women in Science

The status of Iranian women in various fields has seen a remarkable transformation following the Islamic Revolution. Women, who constitute half of the nation’s population, have excelled across numerous domains.

Post-1979 Islamic Revolution, women gained equal rights and opportunities to shape their own futures. This period marked a significant turning point allowing women to establish their identities and achieve success in diverse fields.

Key advancements include:

  • Education: Education is viewed as a fundamental freedom for women, leading to a literacy rate of 99.3% among women and girls.
  • University Enrollment: Currently, nearly 60% of all university students are female, a 21-fold increase since the Revolution.
  • Job Market Impact: The growing presence of women in education has positively influenced the job market, leading to increased employment rates in both public and private sectors.

The Iranian government has consistently emphasized the economic, cultural, social, and political empowerment of women in its policy-making and national planning. As a result, over 70 women currently hold key positions, including vice presidents, ministers, and spokespersons. Notable figures include:

  • Farzaneh Sadeq: Minister of Transport and Urban Development.
  • Fatemeh Mohajerani: Government Spokesperson.
  • Shina Ansari: Head of the Department of Environment.
  • Zahra Behrouz-azar: Vice President for Women and Family Affairs.

Moreover, female scholars represent 665 out of a total of 4,818 most-cited researchers in Iran, accounting for more than 13% of the total. In the last Iranian calendar year (March 2023 – March 2024), women made up 12.75% of the most-cited researchers, with the Ministry of Health leading with a share of 29.57%.

According to the Islamic World Science Citation (ISC), 177 Iranian female researchers have been acknowledged in various scientific fields, including:

  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Biology
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Physics
  • Social Sciences

In terms of innovation, women contribute to over 24% of inventions in Iran, surpassing the global average of 17%. This progress reflects their significant role in driving the growth of a knowledge-based economy and in the development of high-tech products.

In recent years, the representation of women in leadership roles within knowledge-based companies has significantly increased. The number of female managers has nearly doubled, rising from 1,092 in the Iranian calendar year 1400 (2021-2022) to 2,250 by the end of the first nine months of the current Iranian year, which started on March 20, 2024.

This data illustrates the remarkable achievements of Iranian women, showcasing their potential to excel in various sectors, including technology and leadership.

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