Programs which empower women in the political and economic context are necessary with affirmative action or positive discrimination leading to more women in parliament, said Jaleh Faramarzian, an expert on women’s issues and head of the Women Journalists Association.
The gender disparity has always been in favor of men, while nowhere in the law has it been stated that the economic, social, and political activities of women should be limited. But as social norms have a deeper impact than legislation, women receive fewer opportunities in managerial, economic, social, and political activities, she noted.
Therefore to do justice, positive discrimination in favor of women is needed to strike a balance between the genders and make up for the decades of gender inequity, ILNA quoted her as saying.
“Today’s managerial trends are moving towards multi-lateral methods. Women are instinctively familiar with these modes of management due to the multiple responsibilities and roles which they have within families and society: their dynamic character and mentality should be taken into consideration leading to affirmative action and recruitment of more women in managerial and decision-making positions,” she observed.
Mandatory
In Islam ‘Mahr’ (dower) is the mandatory payment, in the form of money or possessions paid by the groom, or by groom’s father, to the bride at the time of marriage, that legally becomes the bride’s property. The Mahr is paid to the wife as an honor and respect and to show that the man has a serious desire to marry her and that “he is simply not entering into a marriage contract without any sense of responsibility and obligation on his part.”
In certain Islamic countries the groom is required to buy “stock shares or economic entities in mortgages for the bride instead of Mahr. Governments assist so that people from any financial background can afford the mortgages.” This increases women’s involvement in economic activities as well as their financial independence, Faramarzian stated.
To further involve women in political activities, a “fixed percentage” should be reserved for women by political parties to enhance their participation. Plans should also be devised to empower them in the legislative body. Workshops need to be held to instruct women and familiarize them with the institutional structure and functions of the parliament and its commissions.
