Although more women than men are enrolled at Iranian universities, female graduates have to contend with many discriminatory employment laws, and as a result the percentage of women with permanent jobs is very low throughout the country.

Official figures put the figure at between 12 and 14% of the work force.

The problem has now reached a critical level, and even conservative policy makers who have always insisted that a woman’s main obligation is to be a good wife and mother are now calling for major policy changes to attract more women to the job market.

Deputy head of the Centre for Women’s Affairs Parvin Hedayati told the ISNA news agency: “The private sector is not interested in employing women. Many female graduates have no job and no chance of finding one.” Her comments were made despite the fact that the government is directly responsible for various pieces of legislation designed to confine Iranian women to their homes.

Last year the Presidential Office implemented a scheme that pressurised women to work from home. Initially it was voluntary, but few opted for it, and the government has now made it compulsory for all female civil servants.

Source: Shahrzad News