Iran is in a deep economic crisis caused by corruption, mismanagement and international sanctions. And amid thsi crisis, the Iranian women struggling for having rights have eebn seeing a tough time.
The above situation was vividely releaved in a report of German media DW.
In order to collapse Iran's oil exports and put pressure on its currency, US President Donald Trump has restored the US's "maximum pressure" campaign since his return to the White House.
"We can clearly feel that we are getting poorer from month to month," said Narges, who asked to be referred to by a pseudonym to protect her identity.
Narges is a 36-year-old artist who lives in Iran's southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province — one of the country's poorest, despite being rich in resources such as gold, silver, copper and other metals.
She belongs to a generation of women who, thanks to online platforms and social media, are standing on their own feet financially, despite all the restrictions in the labor market.
"Many of us work either in the service sector or in small craft businesses that have fewer and fewer customers," she told DW. Their income, generated from selling home-made products online, plays a crucial role for their families.
Women hit particularly hard
The Baloch — a Sunni minority in an otherwise predominantly Shiite country — suffer from drought and water shortages, and have complained for decades about systematic discrimination by the clerical regime in Tehran.
"The current economic crisis has pushed even more families below the poverty line," Narges said.
When resources become scarce, women are the ones who tend to decide how the family money is spent. And they often put their loved ones' needs above their own, going without when necessary.
Since Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took office in August 2024, the Iranian currency has plunged in value — losing around 50% of its value in less than a year. The inflation rate has surged to 31%, causing many products and services to double in price.
According to a report by the Iranian Majlis (Parliament) Research Center, more than 30% of the nation's people are unable to meet their basic needs.
"Working women, especially single mothers, suffer disproportionately under these circumstances. Many of them are in an acute existential crisis," warned union activist Simin Yaqoubian in an interview with the state news agency IRNA last month.
"Female workers do not know how to secure their livelihoods and keep a roof over their heads."
Despite the increased number of female politicians in the new government, and Pezeshkian's promises to advocate for women's rights, the reality for many women remains harsh.
"What concrete improvements has this brought for women? What legal improvements are there for women, mothers, or single parents?" asked Yaqoubian. "Women are systematically exploited, especially in the service sector. They work longer hours and earn less."
The plight of Iranian women in the workforce
The economic participation of women in Iran is among the lowest in the world.
According to TheGlobalEconomy.com the female labor force participation rate in 2023 was only 14.38% — far behind that of countries like Saudi Arabia or Oman, where it is twice as high at about 30%.
And when the economic crisis worsens, women are often the first to lose their jobs, like Maryam, who requested that we refer to her by a pseudonym to protect her identity.
The 36-year-old political scientist suffers from thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder.
However, there are few flexible work or home office options for qualified professionals with health restrictions.
"Because of my illness, I was let go and now live with my parents," she told DW.
Until recently, she worked at an educational institute.
"My father now pays for my medication, which is becoming increasingly expensive. We belong to the middle class, but now we also feel the massive economic pressure," she said. "I try to make myself useful by volunteering at an association for thalassemia patients."
Shattered dreams
In addition to economic hardship, state pressure on activists and civil society organizations, especially women's rights activists, is also growing.
Marzieh Mohebi, a lawyer who founded the NGO Sora Women Lawyers Association, which aided incarcerated women and victims of violence and poverty, fled Iran for her safety and now lives in exile in France. In February 2024, her property was confiscated following a court order.
In an interview with DW, Mohebi said that she was prouder of her association than anything else in her life.
"Over 250 female lawyers were active, we often represented female prisoners pro bono and under difficult conditions. We offered hope to many women. Initially, we were even praised by the authorities."
However, her organization's work came to an abrupt end when it came under government scrutiny.
"We were accused of spreading feminism. I was summoned and interrogated several times," said Mohebi.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
