Human rights of women in Iran

Abstract

Ever since the encounter of Muslim societies with modernity, no other area of human rights has been as resistant to change as family law, especially women’s rights, under Islamic law (Shari’a). No matter what progress had been made with respect to women’s rights before the Iranian Revolution of 1979, all human-made laws were subsequently subjected to Islamic law criteria, particularly those pertaining to women’s rights. Yet, over the past quarter century no aspect of social life has remained immune to the dynamics of change, including the status of women.