Chen 1 James Chen Mr.

Benson AP Comparative Politics Dec 13 2012

Dear UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon,

I deeply appreciate the work you have done along with all the other UN staffs on achieving sustainable development worldwide and building a safer and more secure world through United Nation. United Nation is the most influential and effective organization in the world. Since 1945, UN has been involved in all major international events from economic development, social equality, securities and etc.

UN Women was created in 2010 for improving gender equality and the empowerment of women. For two years, this UN organization has established five priority areas of intervention. Personally, I think they are all reasonable and thoughtful. Many less-developed countries including Iran are experiencing a transitional period with rapid population grows because birth rates are high and death rates drop because of improving food production and health. These countries wont have a stable economy growth in this transitional state. Empowering women seems to be the only quick way to go through this transitional period since educated women have the ability to control their own fertility and educate their children. For Islamic Republic of Iran, maybe the most controversial country in women rights issue, I believe Increasing womens leadership and participation and Enhancing womens economic empowerment(3) should be two most important areas to improve in order to improve gender equality.

Chen 2

Since 1979, Iran has become a republic country. In 20TH century, there have been two major revolutions in 1906 and 1979. Revolutionaries in both revolutions demanded for more freedom, a more democratic state and fairer rule of law. In 1906, the women rights movement in Iran first started in the Persian Constitution Revolution. Iranian Women played an important role in that revolution; many educated young women were attracted to be journalists and writers. Danesh, the first specialized journal focused on Women Issue was published in 1907. Educated women were quite influential during the revolution. But after revolution, Iranian women discovered that they didnt get what they expect that had promoted them to take an active role in the revolution; they were expecting a greater equality in gender in the society; but unfortunately, Iranian Women continued to be treated as secondclass citizens.

Educated women should be extremely powerful and influential. The most successful example is Bangladesh. Through educating women and giving them more equality in rural area; the whole countrys life expectancy and HDI have increased dramatically without a booming economy or better democracy. Women in Iran were first enrolled in College in 1936. As of 2006, Women students accounted for 70% of Irans science and engineering majors(4). Although women in Iran became more and more educated, they dont know how to fight for their rights, the social status of women in Iran is low. In the meantime, Iranian female students are barred to receive several college degrees by an officially approved act.(2) As for Iran, educated women still dont have too much power both politically and economically. Official statistics show female economic activity only accounted for 14.3% of the whole nation. In order to bring equality to women in society, it is necessary to Increase womens participation in politics and enhance their economic empowerment.

Chen 3

In Iran, cultural factors such as religions and gender preference limit the power for women. Sharia law determines Irans executive and legal system.(1) Irans legal system embedded discrimination against women and laws are based on religions. Male preference played another important role to obstacle women to fight for their rights. In Iran, son preferences affected early childhood care to girls and also the assessment to secondary education for female students. According to UNFPA, Irans infant mortality rates for girls are higher that that for boys(1). In 2007, a report by UNICEF report states Iranian girls have a higher primary level education enrollment rate than boys; but in contrast, boys have higher enrollment level than girls at secondary level(1). In many households in Iran, men have the absolute control of familys income and assets; women have no influence in economy even in the household level.

Iranian women have restricted access to civil liberties. The government has strongly restricted the freedom of expression and assembly(1). It affected womens rights activists ability and cause them troubles to organize and speak for women rights and women issues. Although Iranian women have the rights to vote, they arent influential at all(1). Out of total 290 representatives in Irans parliament, only eight women representatives (1). Women in office face even more restriction imposed by gender segregation, it caused the lack of women representatives in high rank leadership position in Iran. In addition, women didnt have too many opportunities to work, the unemployment rate for women remains high in Iran, and womens economic autonomy is limited.

Changing the whole society and the Islamic Regime in Iran is impossible, but Iran does have serious women rights problems. In 2009, the country ranked 95 out of 102 in

Chen 4 Social Institution and Gender Index(1). Cultural factors including religions and male preference along with its restricted civil liberty for women are the most significant impediments to improve women rights in Iran. A solution to increase womens leadership in politics and enhance womens empowerment without changing too much of its cultural setup will be very affective.

Hope we can win the fight against Gender discriminating and help Iranian women to have equal right.

Sincerely,

James Chen Colorado Springs School

Chen 5

(1)"Iran, Islamic Rep." Gender Equality in. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

(2)"Fighting for Women's Rights in Iran | Human Rights Watch." Fighting for Women's Rights in Iran | Human Rights Watch. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

(3)"Women's Economic Empowerment." United Nations Development Programme. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

(4)"Empowering Women Is Smart Economics -- Finance & Development, March 2012."Finance and Development. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.