Tehran Celebrates Women’s Achievements with Inspiring Exhibition

TEHRAN – An inspiring exhibition showcasing the achievements of Iranian women, titled ‘Iranian Women, Unwritten Stories’, commenced at the Iran House of Innovation and Technology (iHiT) in Tehran on Monday. This event reflects the commitment to empowering women in Iran and highlights their significant contributions across various sectors.

The opening ceremony featured a speech by the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, who emphasized the current administration’s determination to elevate women’s status in society. She pointed out that the country is making strides in alignment with international standards to improve women’s rights and opportunities.

Among the notable achievements mentioned were:

• Increased Life Expectancy: Women in Iran now have a life expectancy of 78 years.
• Maternal Health Improvements: About 95% of childbirths are attended by specialists, contributing to a significant decrease in maternal mortality rates.
• Female Representation in Medicine: Women constitute 40% of specialists and 30% of subspecialists in the medical field.

Moreover, advancements in educational equity were highlighted, with the gender gap in education narrowing to just three percent. Iran is recognized as one of the leading countries in this regard, with women making up:

• 56% of public university admissions.
• 40% of faculty members in medical sciences.
• 30% of faculty in other academic disciplines.

In the cultural and social spheres, the impact of women has also been significant. Behrouz-Azar noted the presence of:

• 23,543 female authors.
• 1,051 publishing houses managed by women.
• 435 women leading printing houses.
• More than 181,000 women holding book publishing licenses.

Additionally, women are making strides in the media, with:

• 2,336 female media managers.
• 20,762 women involved in publishing.

In the economic landscape, women represent:

• 315% of experts in the information and communication technology sectors.
• Investment in entrepreneurship, with 12,000 companies founded by women.
• Leadership in 250 knowledge-based companies, managed by 41,330 women.

Behrouz-Azar also acknowledged the growing political presence of women, stating that since 2017, more than 8,000 women have been appointed to managerial positions across the country. Since the current administration took office in the summer, over 190 women have been appointed to various management roles.

The achievements of women in sports were another focal point of her address. Behrouz-Azar noted that:

• Approximately 935,000 professional female athletes are actively competing.
• There are 1,000 trainers and 150,000 coaches among women.
• 16,111 sports clubs are managed by women, resulting in 2,950 medals won in international competitions.
• Women oversee 51 sports federations.

Furthermore, a notable increase in women’s participation in the Paralympics was reported, with the National Paralympic Committee of Iran receiving the International Women’s Day Recognition Award from the International Paralympic Committee for their exceptional efforts.

Behrouz-Azar emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting women, particularly those who are heads of households. She outlined several national initiatives aimed at:

• Developing women’s cooperatives.
• Implementing entrepreneurship programs.
• Facilitating access to loans.
• Providing social insurance coverage.
• Allocating land to women’s organizations.

In recognition of National Women’s Day on December 22, Iranian officials reiterated the crucial role of women in driving the country’s progress. President Masoud Pezeshkian and other leaders expressed their commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, both in domestic policy and on the international stage.

Pezehskian stated that all violations of human rights must be addressed through dialogue and appropriate measures, regardless of the perpetrator’s status. He acknowledged women’s equality, praising their potential to lead and excel in various fields. He called for more opportunities for women and girls to contribute to national development, underlining that their involvement is essential for a just society.

“Women are not only equal to men but often excel in many areas,” Pezeshkian emphasized. “Superiority lies in piety, not in gender.” He recognized the vital role that mothers play in shaping future generations and stressed that no nation can thrive without the support of capable and dedicated women.

In conclusion, Pezeshkian urged for greater inclusion of women in leadership roles and reaffirmed the need for a renewed commitment to tackle the nation’s challenges. He stated, “Women have a unique ability to nurture and shape the next generation. This must be recognized as a cornerstone of national progress.”