Trailblazing Iranian Woman Takes the Helm as RPC Chairman for the Eastern Mediterranean
Farah Babaei, a prominent figure in midwifery, has achieved a significant milestone by being appointed as the new Chair of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Professional Committee (RPC) by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). This appointment highlights her extensive experience and dedication to enhancing midwifery practices across the region.
The Eastern Mediterranean RPC is a vital part of the ICM, responsible for coordinating and directing professional activities among member countries. This regional structure plays a crucial role in addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by midwives in these regions.
With over 35 years of professional experience in midwifery, including a remarkable 17 years in leadership within the Midwifery Department, Babaei is well-equipped to lead initiatives that aim to strengthen midwifery associations and practices. The ICM has been fostering collaboration among professional organizations of midwives since 1922, uniting them to achieve common goals and uplift one another in their mission.
Among the exclusive benefits provided by ICM to its member associations (Mas) are:
- Professional development opportunities
- Networking and collaboration platforms
- Leadership and governance support
- Advocacy for improved midwifery education and regulation
- Connections to donors in humanitarian situations
The RPC is instrumental in the ICM’s broader efforts to enhance midwifery practice across its six regions globally. By dividing the world into these regions, the ICM can better address the unique challenges and requirements of midwives worldwide.
Each regional committee plays a pivotal role in communicating and implementing ICM’s work plans, particularly in:
- Strengthening midwifery education
- Improving regulations
- Advancing research
- Enhancing midwifery practice
The Advancement of Iranian Women in Science
The appointment of Babaei is a testament to the growing status of Iranian women in various professional fields, especially in science and healthcare. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iranian women have made significant strides, gaining equal rights and opportunities to shape their futures.
This revolution marked a turning point, allowing women to build their identities and achieve remarkable success across multiple sectors, including:
- Science and technology
- Education
- Economics and employment
- Management and leadership
Today, education is viewed as a crucial value for women in Iran, symbolizing true freedom. The literacy rate among women and girls has soared to 99.3 percent, with female enrollment in universities reaching nearly 60 percent of all students. This represents a dramatic increase of 21 times since the Revolution.
The notable presence of women in academia has positively influenced the job market, resulting in more women occupying roles in both the public and private sectors. In government, over 70 women serve in high-ranking positions, including:
- Minister of Transport and Urban Development: Farzaneh Sadeq
- Government Spokesperson: Fatemeh Mohajerani
- Head of the Department of Environment: Shina Ansari
- Vice President for Women and Family Affairs: Zahra Behrouz-azar
Furthermore, female scholars represent 665 out of 4,818 of the most-cited researchers in Iran, accounting for over 13 percent of the total. Notably, during the past Iranian calendar year (March 2023 – March 2024), women made up 12.75 percent of the most-cited researchers in the country.
The Ministry of Health leads with a 29.57 percent share of the most-cited female researchers. Recent reports from the Islamic World Science Citation (ISC) indicate that 177 Iranian female researchers have been recognized in various fields such as:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Clinical Medicine
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Neuroscience and Psychology
- Engineering
- Material Science
- Psychiatry/Psychology
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Social Sciences
- Immunology
In terms of innovation, Iranian women contribute to more than 24 percent of inventions in the country, surpassing the global average of 17 percent. Their achievements in technology and the knowledge-based economy demonstrate their potential to excel in diverse fields.
Over the past three years, the percentage of female CEOs and chairpersons of board directors in knowledge-based companies has increased significantly. 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.
The journey of Iranian women in science and leadership exemplifies their resilience and capability, marking a significant chapter in the ongoing story of women’s empowerment in Iran.
