‘Men Make The Decisions’: A Reformist Woman Candidate In Iran’s Elections

Candidate Afifeh Abedi says if she wins a parliamentary place a top priority is to give more power to women in society Atta KENARE

‘Men Make The Decisions’: A Reformist Woman Candidate In Iran’s Elections

BARRON’S -Feb28th2024

A rare reformist woman standing in Iran’s legislative elections on Friday, Afifeh Abedi hopes to bolster women’s place in society and add a fresh voice in a parliament dominated by male conservatives.

Women “are very active in society but hold a very small share of the power,” said the 44-year-old candidate ahead of a campaign event at a mosque in southern Tehran.

“It’s men who make the decisions, even when they concern women.”

Abedi said among issues she wants to address is Iran’s strict dress code for women which drove mass protests after the September 2022 death in custody of Iranian-Kurd Mahsa Amini, 22.

If elected, Abedi says she plans to “defend the point of view of women who want to wear different outfits”.

On Friday voters will choose the members of a new parliament from a list of pre-vetted candidates, as well as the 88-member Assembly of Experts — a key body that appoints the supreme leader.

Abedi, a political science researcher, is among six women on the “Voice of the Nation” list, an alliance of 30 candidates from various political movements.

She says if she wins a seat in parliament, her top priorities are to give more power to women and tackle economic challenges in the sanctions-hit country suffering rapid inflation.

The “Voice of the Nation” list — formed by influential ex-parliamentarian Ali Motahari — has been approved to run for Iran’s 290-seat parliament.

By setting up the list, Motahari hoped to help “restore confidence in the system”, oppose the blocking of internet access, and push for loosening restrictions on the dress code which requires women to wear loose-fitting garments while covering the head and neck.

The death of Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly violating the rules, triggered months-long protests that posed the most serious challenge for Iran’s government led by the ultra-conservative president, Ebrahim Raisi.