Women’s rights in Iran in today’s world are a far cry from what is deemed acceptable in the 21st century. President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Maryam Rajavi has shared the Iranian Resistance’s viewpoints on bettering women’s rights in future Iran.

This topic will be covered in two parts. The first will focus on categories that lay out what needs to change in order to improve the life of Iranian women. The second will look into the NCRI’s thoughts, feelings and hopes for the Iran of tomorrow.

In regards to fundamental freedoms and rights in a future Iran, Maryam Rajavi said: “Women shall have the equal right to enjoy all human rights and freedoms…irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, social class or demographics,” and hopes for any discrimination against women to be abolished.

She believes that women should be free to choose where they live, where they work and receive education, and have the right to travel freely both domestically and abroad. They should have equal rights as men in the labor market and receive equal pay for equal work.

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The regime dictate what women should wear and forced veiling is currently in place. In the Iran of tomorrow, this is planned to be repealed and women should have the right to wear what they choose.

In terms of equality in familial environments, Maryam Rajavi said: “Polygamy is prohibited…Marriage before reaching legal age is prohibited…Familial responsibilities such as housekeeping, raising children, employment and educating children are the obligation of both men and women.” Most importantly, any laws that authorize crimes under familial pretexts should be repealed.

The topic of women being able to choose their own spouses, having the right to divorce and obtain custody of their children is also a hoped fundamental right. The access to social benefits pertaining to retirement, unemployment, disability and the right to maternity leave during and after pregnancy is a must and women must have access to nursery and daycare centers for their children.

In reference to the law, Maryam Rajavi said: “Women must have equal rights as men before the courts. Women must enjoy access to guaranteed judicial resources in the face of violence, rape, discrimination and deprivation of liberty.” She also believes the legal age that a woman can be subject to criminal punishment should be raised to 18.

When it comes to violence against women, she says that the mullahs’ Sharia laws have no place in the laws of future Iran. The death penalty against women should be banned and that any torture or degrading treatment of women should be prohibited. Violence, acts of intimidation, forcible deprivation of freedoms and especially rape will be considered crimes and sexual exploitation of women and children will cause those responsible to be criminally prosecuted.

Regarding her views on a fair democracy, Maryam Rajavi said: “Women must enjoy the right to equal participation in the country’s political leadership. The government must appoint women for at least half their candidates…any laws that cause limitations on women occupying government posts…must be repealed.”