Women, Paid - Work and the Family: In the Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

This study relies on census data interviews and focus groups to examine womens wage work and their position in the gender division of labor in Iran. Findings suggest that the impact of paid work on womens lives and families is complex. Women face difficulties and are disadvantaged in wage employment but the outcome is a more enhanced position at the microlevel. Iranian women are limited in their ability to negotiate and must rely on family and their personal network to perform multiple tasks. In 1986 there were 11 million men and women employed in the formal sector of which 50% were wage and salary employees. 9.4% or 504582 persons working in wage employment were women. 80.7% of female wage employees worked for the government and 19.3% were employed in the private sector. In 1971 and before the Islamic Revolution there were 243000 women employed in the private sector. By 1986 there were only 97293 women working in the private sector for wages. The decline is in accord with the decline in the private sectors role in the economy. In 1986 29% of men and 48% of women were illiterate. 95.9% of women working in the government sector were literate and many had higher levels of education (one in four with a university degree). Male wage workers in the government sector had lower educational levels. Only 10% had a university degree. 52.6% of women working in the private sector were illiterate. 3.4% of women working in the private sector had a university degree. In 1986 57.3% of wage-earning women were teachers; 10.9% were in health care occupations; and 33% worked in clerical and other low-paid jobs. Under 9% in the private sector held specialized positions such as teachers accountants and office managers. All surveyed women had control over their earned income.