Iranian Women's conditions: A Journey Before, During, and After the Islamic Revolution

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  In Roundtable Session: International Explorations of Women in Academia and Teaching

Abstract

This paper examines the evolving conditions of Iranian women before, during, and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, focusing on shifts in legal, social, and political structures. Drawing from historical documents, scholarly analysis, and preliminary findings from interviews with 50 Iranian women, the study explores how patriarchal interpretations of Islamic law, state surveillance, and cultural norms have shaped women's rights, education, and everyday life. It also highlights internal tensions within Iran’s feminist movements and recent protests following Mahsa Amini’s death. The research offers an intersectional, feminist analysis of women’s resilience, agency, and activism, contributing to a deeper understanding of gender oppression and education in repressive regimes.

Author

• Vajiheh Shahsavari, Kansas State University