Women empowerment and good urban governance in Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of women in urban management and possibility of a more inclusionary approach to their active participation. First the underlying concepts and principles of Good Urban Governance and special needs of women in urban settings are discussed; next capabilities of Iranian women for active participation in Good Urban Governance are examined. The study shows that women are in utter need to be empowered and to take more active role in their urban lives. Furthermore, it shows that Iranian women have used the means available to them to improve their capabilities. It discusses that there are needs for further research to better understand the socio-cultural obstacles to higher participation rate of women in governance. The paper is an original investigation of Iranian women's attempt to improve their lives through the available means to them within a paternalistic society. It discusses their success and failures and draws future directions of their latent movement.