The Discrimination against Women in Marriage in Iran - Literature review Example

The discrimination against women in marriage in Iran The discrimination against women in marriage in Iran Generally women are discriminated against in the world especially in Islamic states like Iran that implement Sharia laws. In Islamic states like Iran, women are discriminated in many areas of life especially in the marriage setup. This paper will focus on discrimination against women in marriage set up especially in Iran. It will illustrate how women are discriminated against in marriages. It will also explore on the reasons why women are discriminated against; the effects the discrimination has on women, the society, the nation and the world. It will also discuss on the measures being taken and other measures that should be taken to stop this discrimination. According to Halleh (1998), in marriage according to the Islamic laws practiced in Iran, the husband is allowed to beat his wife as punishment for disobeying him. For example, if a woman is unable to cook for the family or the husband due to various reasons like being sick, most men cane the wife thoroughly sometimes even publicly thus not only do the hurt them physically but end up hurting them emotionally. This shows that women in Iraq don’t have the right to argue or confront their husbands. This is further illustrated by Miram (2001), in most marriages in Iran decision making is solely left to the husband. The women have no say in decisions that concern the family. For example, if the couple has a daughter and is supposed to be wedded off, the mother has no say on matters about inheritance or what groom the daughter should be married. The mothers work is to prepare her daughter for marriage by showing her how to cook, and how to obey her husband among other things. In Iran, married women are not allowed to take any form of birth control measures. This is unethical as it is the women who bare the shortcomings that come with pregnancy. The role of women in marriages is reduced to cooking and giving birth. According to Hossein (1999), in remote parts of Iran like Sistan-Baluchestan, married women are not allowed to work or generate any form of income. Even when a married woman is allowed to work by her husband, she is viewed by the community as someone who is morally corrupt. Married women are forced to wear clothes that may not be comfortable. For example, in remote provinces of Iran, women are supposed to cover every part of their bodies when in public, regardless of the type of weather. You will find women covered in black robes and scarf’s, locally known as hijab. These are just but a few examples on how women are discriminated against in marriage in Iran. The main reason why women are discriminated against in marriage in Iran is due to the fact that a very high percentage of the population is Muslim. Hence, they practice the Islamic laws which are included in the constitution. Another reason is the fact that many people live in very remote parts of Iran, where civilization is only heard of and is viewed as westernization. Some basic women rights are considered as cultures of people who have no faith whatsoever. This discrimination against married women has a lot of effects to women, society, the nation and the whole world at large. For instance, married women are often physically injured due to the physical discipline handed to them by their spouses. Women become emotionally distant to the family and to the society, which in turns drugs the society behind as women generally play a very important role when it comes to the development of the society. Many women end up dying while giving birth. This is as a result of lack of family planning methods because, these married women are not allowed to practice birth control methods such as contraceptives. Iran has a very small number of women who hold key positions in government. This is as a result of discrimination against them at the lowest level of governance; that is the marriage set up hence, people don’t respect them thus they do not vote for them during elections. Discrimination against women has contributed to the high level of poverty in most parts of Iran. This is as a result of married women not being allowed to work or have any activity that generates income. When their husbands die, families end up living in poverty as husbands were the sole bread winners. If married women had been allowed to work, they would have a sustainable income hence, would be able to support their families thus minimizing poverty. Women hold demonstrations to protest against injustices done to them which include discrimination in marriage. These demonstrations often turn violent leading to loss of life and property. If women rights were respected in marriages this would be minimized. In their book Simoner, Fereshteh. (2005), they emphasize on how many married women seek asylum in other countries due to discrimination against them in Iran. As a result, these women form human right activists which in turn pressure host countries to put pressure on the Iranian government to uphold and protect the rights of Married women. This has been done economically where companies refuse to have any dealings with companies in Iran hence affecting the economy. Married women who flee Iran have contributed to the global problem of immigration. This is because very few women flee to other countries legally. This is mostly the fact in European and northern American countries. This is because; these countries have very strict immigration laws due to the rise in terrorism. Therefore, the women fail to pass the tests by the respective immigration department, and result to sneaking in to these countries where they risk their lives. This immigration has also contributed to terror attacks to other countries. This is because, many countries give asylum to many women from Iran who flee due to discrimination in marriage. Terrorist groups take advantage of this and send women operatives to pose as married women seeking asylum from their families in Iran. These women who are able to fool immigration officers are allowed to enter countries where they form terrorist cells with other women and execute terror attacks. As time goes on the world is changing and people are fighting for human rights of women in general in Iran. Andrew, Allen. (1996), have shown how married women are fighting for their rights in Iran. Married women are forming support groups that provide individual and group information, support, and counselling to Muslim women and their children who may be affected by discrimination in marriage. By doing, this women become informed on their rights for example, on inheritance and advice each other on what to do. Non-profit organizations are coming up in Iran where they offer legal services to married women in Iran free of charge. The Iranian government has also come up with responsive and complaint mechanism for women who have been discriminated against in the marriage set up. The Iranian government is also providing training for security related personnel (police, public, security guards) to better understand, identify and respond to discrimination against women in marriage.. Due to the increasing population and the rate of poverty the Iranian government is insisting on birth control methods like contraceptives for married women. This is helping in that; many women do not die during birth due to poor family planning. However, not enough measures have been taken to stop discrimination against women in Iran. The government should put into place laws which ensure that women have rights in the marriage setup which will in turn put an end to discrimination against women in the marriage setup. Additionally the public should elect more women as representatives both politically and in high government positions. This will help in that, these elected women will fight for women rights in general better as they are married and feel the pinch of discrimination against women in the marriage setup. In the twentieth century, archaic practices should be done away with. People in Iran should not only respect the rights of married women but of every woman and avoid discriminating against them. References Afashar, H. (1998). Isalam and feminisms: an Iranian case-study. New York. NY: St Martions press Inc Nouraie-Simoner, F. (2005). On shifting ground: Muslim women in the global era ed. New york: feminist press at the City University of New york. Maiyamani, A.A. (1996). Feminism and Islam: legal and literary perspective ed . New York University Press. Cooke, M. (2001). Women claim Islam: Creating Islamic feminism through literature. New York, NY: Routledge Ziba M. H. (1999). Islam and gender: the religious debate in contemporary Iran. Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press. Read More