News : Women

By INU Staff

INU - On Tuesday, CNN reported that the imprisoned Iranian-British dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was facing several new charges in the Islamic Republic, which could lead to her extension of her prison sentence from five years to more than 20. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained at the Tehran airport in April 2016, just as she was about to leave from a visit with her family in Iran. She was accused of national security crimes that have never been fully clarified, but it is suspected that her former employment by the British Broadcasting Company made her a particular target for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has been leading a crackdown on dual nationals and all persons with notable connections to Western countries.

By INU Staff

INU - The Iranian parliament, or Majlis, approved President Rouhani’s new cabinet on August 20, 2017. In a step back from his promise to improve civil liberties, including women’s rights, Rouhani’s cabinet is all-male. Although he had claimed that his administration “does not accept gender discrimination and injustice” and promised to appoint at least one woman to his Cabinet, in the end, it was announced that his staff was not able to come up with a list of qualified women.

By INU Staff

INU - Women in Iran are treated as second-class citizens. They do not have the rights that they have in most other countries in the world. They have to undergo severe levels of repression and older women are treated just as badly as younger women. Pregnant women are treated the same as women twice their age. The regime has executed women in front of their children. Female activists are jailed for asking for gender equality.

By INU Staff 

INU - On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that Iran was set to host its first marathon foot race this weekend. Naturally, the announcement has made public running events the latest flashpoint in the conflict between state-imposed religious principles and common features of modern society, including participation in and view of spectator sports. The Islamic Republic has already become the object of widespread criticism about its general ban on co-mingling of men and women, which includes a comprehensive ban on women in stadiums where men compete in sports like soccer or volleyball.

As she awakened to the first anniversary of her detention in Iran, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe could only wish to see her family dancing to Michael Jackson in in the sitting room of their home.

The 38 year old British-Iranian woman has been jailed in Tehran for an alleged plot to overturn the government. She was arrested on April 3, 2016 at Tehran airport, awaiting their return flight, after visiting relatives in Iran with her daughter, Gabriella.

Dorsa Derakhshani looks like other teenagers, but she’s not.  This 18-year-old is the International Master Woman Grand Master who competed at the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival.  And, although she’s currently studying in Spain, Dorsa is a member of the Iranian Women's National Chess Team.