Women in Iran have complex lives. They are bound by rules and traditions, some of which they continue to embrace for spiritual reasons, and some of which they wish to reject for social reasons. The consequences of both those acceptances and rejections have engaged global interest, which in some cases makes the process easier and in some, far more difficult.

First, it must be understood that women in Iran are living in a Muslim state. That state, however, has changed its policies several times in the last half century, often in ways that are not necessarily accurate reflections of the Quran. The Revolution of 1979 was a turning point for Women in Iran, and for the most part, significantly for the worse.

Women in Iran after the Revolution

Khomeini's regime made wearing the veil required, ended co-educational schools, segregated many public areas, and kept women from many positions of power. Women were no longer able to divorce men, though men were still able to divorce women. Among other things, female singers were no longer played on radio or television.

Obviously, then, the limiting of women's rights in Iran has had a devastating effect on culture within the country. Perhaps inconceivably to us, women who could have left Iran, such as the mega-star Googoosh, chose not to leave, and suffered the ban on their music in silence and depression. Others have left Iran, so Persian arts traditions have still grown and flourished elsewhere in the world.