Employment of Women: The 7th Article of the NCRI Plan on Women’s Rights and Freedoms

The 7th article of the 12-article plan formulated by the National Council of Resistance of Iran for Women’s Freedoms and Rights, unanimously approved in 1987, advocates for equal rights between men and women in the realm of employment. This pivotal article encompasses several critical provisions:

1. Equal Pay for Equal Work: Women should receive the same wages as men for comparable work.
2. Non-Discrimination: Discrimination based on gender during employment is strictly prohibited.
3. Benefits Parity: Women are entitled to the same benefits as men, including leave, pension, disability support, child and marriage rights, and unemployment insurance.
4. Special Rights during Pregnancy and Childbirth: Pregnant women and new mothers should enjoy specific rights and facilities.
5. Childcare Support: Ensuring access to childcare services is essential.

Iranian women continue to face significant challenges due to the oppressive rule of the Mullahs. The World Economic Forum’s 2023 report paints a grim picture:

• Global Ranking: Iran ranks 143rd out of 146 countries, scoring 0.57.
• Gender Gap Index: The gender gap index for participation and economic opportunities stands at 34.4%, with a labor force participation rate of only 20.4% (ranking last).
• Earnings Gap: A staggering 17.1% wage gap exists between men and women, placing Iran 145th globally.
• Representation: Only 21.9% of legislators, senior officials, and managers are women, while professional and technical workers comprise 53.4%.
• Equal Pay: The gender pay gap in Iran is 54.2%.
• Political Empowerment: Iran lags significantly, with a mere 3.1% equality rate. Women’s participation in parliament is 5.9%, ministerial roles at 5.3%, and the presidency at 0%.

Women’s Employment Challenges in Iran: A Closer Look at the Numbers

1. Gender Disparities in Formal Employment:
   • According to official government statistics, men constitute 68.3% of Iran’s labor market, while women make up only 14.1%.
   • The gray economy, unaccounted for in official data, relies heavily on female workers. Unfortunately, this sector often denies them basic rights, including job security, fair wages, and proper working conditions.
2. Informal Sector Exploitation:
   • Women, as a cheaper labor force, predominantly populate the informal sector. They endure minimum wages, irregular working hours, and inadequate health provisions.
   • Employers exploit this vulnerable workforce, leading to systemic deprivation of rights.
3. Patriarchal Barriers to Women’s Employment:
   • A patriarchal system systematically excludes women from equal opportunities in the labor market.
   • Legal and covert barriers persist, hindering women’s access to suitable jobs with equitable income.
4. Unemployment Rates:
   • In 2022, Iran’s unemployment rate for the population over 18 years old stood at 16.3%. Only 37.2% of the working-age population had jobs.
   • Shockingly, women accounted for slightly over 11% of the employed population, while working men constituted 63%. This fivefold disparity highlights the gender gap in employment.
   • During President Ebrahim Raisi’s tenure, women’s economic participation declined further.
5. Unemployed Graduates:
   • Among the 32.2 million working-age women, over 27.5 million remain outside the labor market.
   • Unemployment rates for associate degree graduates reveal a stark contrast: 8.3% for men and 19.1% for women.
   • University graduates face even greater challenges. Of the 40% unemployed graduates, a staggering 71% are women (Tejarat News, March 17, 2024).
6. Agricultural Sector Trends:
   • The agricultural sector witnessed shifting dynamics. Women’s employment share increased from 6.13% in winter 2022 to 4.10% in winter 2023, surpassing men.
   • However, overall progress remains insufficient.

The plight of women in Iran’s labor market extends beyond social norms; it reflects a deliberate state policy by the Mullahs to curtail their presence in public spaces and confine them to their homes. Here are the key issues:

1. Forced Housewifery and Powerlessness:
   • Women face societal pressure to become housewives, perpetuated through extensive advertisements.
   • This narrative reinforces power imbalances, leaving women vulnerable to discrimination.
2. Lack of Gender-Equal Platforms:
   • Despite encouraging women to have children, Iran falls short in creating platforms to eliminate gender inequality.
   • The absence of protective laws exposes women to various forms of harassment, often under the pretext of hijab.
3. Reserved Home Businesses:
   • The Deputy of Employment at the Ministry of Cooperation, Labor, and Social Welfare revealed that 80% of facilities, licenses, and home business opportunities are reserved for women.
   • However, this allocation doesn’t necessarily empower women—it can perpetuate their confinement.
4. Legal Barriers: Article 1117 of the Civil Code:
   • Under this restrictive law, a man can prohibit his wife from any employment.
   • Such regulations hinder women’s economic participation and reinforce male dominance.

To address these barriers, the 7th article of the Women’s Rights and Freedoms Plan by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, advocates for equal rights with positive discrimination in employment.