Iranian women’s groups have called on Parliament’s Speaker, Ali Larijani, to increase the number of female MPs in the next Parliament, which will be voted on this coming March.

ISNA reports that a number of conservative women’s groups have presented Larijani with a motion to raise the number of female representatives in Parliament. The letter reportedly suggests that the quota of female MPs from Tehran to be increased to 10, and other regions with more than two MPs should have at least one female MP. They also call for at least two female representatives in regions that have five or more MPs.

They say stronger female representation in the Islamic Republic Parliament would help “to overcome obstacles faced by women and amend current shortcomings.”

Among the reasons listed in the letter are: “The increasing number of professional women; the importance of incorporating the female outlook on issues in decision-making bodies; addressing women’s and family issues, and eliminating legal vacuums.”

The motion has been submitted to the office of Parliament’s presiding board, and female MP Effat Shariati is trying to round up the necessary support in Parliament to carry it through.