Women and politics in post‐islamist Iran: the gender conscious drive to change

Abstract

The implementation of the Shari'a and the institutionalization of gender inequality in the aftermath of the revolution led to the disillusionment of the gender‐sensitive Islamist women and triggered their discontent. Through their involvement in politics they attempted to present a different reading of Islam and Islamic laws which would be more attentive to the condition of women. These endeavours failed, however, because on the one hand they were still largely based on traditionalist interpretations, and on the other hand, the condition of women did not constitute a priority for the political and religious elite during the Iraq‐Iran War (1980–88). The end of the war and the implementation of ‘Reconstruction Policies’ provided an opportunity for a new generation of gender‐conscious Islamist women to seek allies among secular women, to present a modern reading of Islam, and make radical demands for change in women's status by using politics as a potent agent. This article, which is largely based on personal interviews with some of these vocal women, traces their aspirations and endeavours, their identity formation, and the outcomes of their mobilization.