Iran bans women from studying a whole bunch of subjects at university
60 replies, posted
Source is the [URL="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19665615"]BBC[/URL].
[IMG]http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/63013000/jpg/_63013652_students.jpg[/IMG]
[quote][SUB]Female university students in Iran have outnumbered men for the past decade[/SUB][/quote]
[quote]With the start of the new Iranian academic year, [B]a raft of restrictions on courses open to female students has been introduced[/B],
raising questions about the rights of women to education in Iran - and the long-term impact such exclusions might have.
More than 30 universities have introduced new rules banning female students from almost 80 different degree courses.
These include a bewildering variety of subjects from [B]engineering, nuclear physics and computer science, to English literature, archaeology and business[/B].
No official reason has been given for the move, but campaigners, including Nobel Prize winning lawyer Shirin Ebadi, allege
it is part of a deliberate policy by the authorities to exclude women from education.
"[B]The Iranian government is using various initiatives… to restrict women's access to education, to stop them being
active in society, and to return them to the home[/B]," she told the BBC.
Higher Education Minister Kamran Daneshjoo has sought to play down the situation, stressing
Iran's strong track record in getting young people into higher education and saying that despite the changes,
90% of university courses are still open to both men and women.
Year-on-year [B]more Iranian women than men are applying for university places[/B], motivated some say by the chance to live a more independent life,
to have a career and to escape the pressure from parents to stay at home and to get married.
Women are well-represented across a wide range of professions and [B]there are many female engineers, scientists and doctors[/B].
But many in Iran fear that the new restrictions could now undermine this achievement.
"[B]I wanted to study architecture and civil engineering,[/B]" says Leila, a young woman from the south of Iran. "[B]But access for girls has been cut by fifty per cent, and there's a chance I won't get into university at all this year[/B]."
[I]Traditional politicians now see educated and powerful women as a threat[/I]
In the early days after the Islamic revolution, universities were one of the few places where young Iranian men and women could mix relatively freely.
Over the years this gradually changed, with universities introducing stricter measures like [B]separate entrances, lecture halls and even canteens for men and women.[/B]
Since the unrest after the 2009 presidential election this process has accelerated as conservative politicians have tightened their grip on the country.
Women played a key role in those protests - from the traditionally veiled but surprisingly outspoken wives of the two main opposition candidates, to the glamorous green-scarved demonstrators out on the streets of Tehran and other cities.
[I]'Islamisation'
[/I] In a speech after the 2009 protests, [B]the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for the "Islamisation" of universities[/B] and [B]criticised subjects like sociology, which he said were too western-influenced[/B] and had no place in the Iranian Islamic curriculum.
Since then, there have been many changes at universities, with courses cut and [B]long-serving academic staff replaced with conservative loyalists[/B].
Many see the new restrictions on female students as a continuation of this process.
In August 2012 [B]Ayatollah Khamenei made another widely-discussed speech calling for Iranians to return to traditional values and to have more children[/B].
It was an affront to many in a country which pioneered family planning and has won praise from around the world for its emphasis on the importance of providing families with access to contraception.
"People are more educated now and they are more concerned about the size of their families," says Saeed Moidfar. "I doubt that the government plans will change anything."
However, since the speech there have been reports of cutbacks in family planning programmes, and in sex education classes at universities.
It is not yet clear exactly how many women students have been affected by the new rules on university entrance. But as the new academic year begins, at least some have had to completely rethink their career plans.
[B]"From the age of 16 I knew I wanted to be a mechanical engineer, and I really worked hard for it[/B]," says Noushin from Esfahan. "[B]But although I got high marks in the National University entrance exam, I've ended up with a place to study art and design instead.[/B]"
Over the coming months campaigners will be watching closely to track the effects of the policy and to try to gauge the longer-term implications.[/quote]
No less than 20 minutes ago I was appreciating how well Iran was doing with regards to women in higher education, then I noticed this article from September (bit late, but I did a search and I don't think anyone else posted it).
This makes me so angry. Why? Why the fuck you gotta do this?
[img]http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s480x480/576135_303000249799153_1690939573_n.jpg[/img]
[sp]70's Iranian Uni Students[/sp]
[QUOTE=Thom12255;38602423][img]http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s480x480/576135_303000249799153_1690939573_n.jpg[/img]
[sp]70's Iranian Uni Students[/sp][/QUOTE]
The same was true in Afganistan in the 1980s. Religious extremism in the middle east is actually a fairly new development.
Fuck off Iran.
But then came al qaeda, the betrayer of taliban
[QUOTE=Thom12255;38602423][img]http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s480x480/576135_303000249799153_1690939573_n.jpg[/img]
[sp]70's Iranian Uni Students[/sp][/QUOTE]
Many middle-eastern countries had a much less restrictive society back then. Afghanistan, for example. [damn, beaten]
Also, it's insane how the Iranian government basically didn't give an explanation. It's completely alien to me (and undoubtedly everyone else).
Iran, don't you believe education?
[QUOTE=digigamer17;38602551]Iran, don't you believe education?[/QUOTE]
Yes, just as long as it isn't for women.
[QUOTE=Mikkelmann;38602540]Many middle-eastern countries had a much less restrictive society back then. Afghanistan, for example. [damn, beaten]
Also, it's insane how the Iranian government basically didn't give an explanation. It's completely alien to me (and undoubtedly everyone else).[/QUOTE]
It's a perfectly fine strategy to establish power, well know, proven by history(Christians for example).
I would do the same if I was in their leaders position and had no morale or lied to myself to an extent where I would believe my own bullshit.
[QUOTE=Mikkelmann;38602540]Many middle-eastern countries had a much less restrictive society back then. Afghanistan, for example. [damn, beaten]
Also, it's insane how the Iranian government basically didn't give an explanation. It's completely alien to me (and undoubtedly everyone else).[/QUOTE]
Afghanistan was great, until the west sponsered terrorism within their borders.
Fuck you Muslim extremists. "read sp dont ban"
[sp] I am a Muslim myself and I hate extremists, peace to everyone. T_T[/sp]
the thing that gets me is that Iran is currently such an amazing counterexample to any kind of argument that starts "well, men are more likely to do science because their brains..." in that 70% of its science and engineering students are women. and now this! THIS! fucksakes!
[QUOTE=Thom12255;38602423][img]http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s480x480/576135_303000249799153_1690939573_n.jpg[/img]
[sp]70's Iranian Uni Students[/sp][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Mikkelmann;38602540]Many middle-eastern countries had a much less restrictive society back then. Afghanistan, for example. [damn, beaten]
Also, it's insane how the Iranian government basically didn't give an explanation. It's completely alien to me (and undoubtedly everyone else).[/QUOTE]
Some writing by a friend of mine that's very relevant to this stuff (yeah he talks about Afghanistan in the beginning cause it was in response to a picture of Iran and Afghanistan):
[quote]Photos like this are being spread across the internet lately, and they are dangerous for a few reasons. If you’re too lazy to read below; basically ignorant Americans are blaming other people, governments, and religions for problems their own nation caused.
First, here is a history lesson on Afghanistan. From 1933 until 1973, Afghanistan was ruled under a man named Mohammed Zahir Shah. While he was a devout Muslim, he had a Western education in France. His reign marked four decades of peace and stability. With the introduction of a constitution Afghanistan progressively developed into a modern democratic state with free elections and a parliament, as well as a massive push for women’s rights, universal suffrage, education, worker’s rights, and civil rights. So yes, Afghanistan was doing well in the 60’s as this photo suggests. However, the photo doesn’t give you context for what went wrong.
During this period in time the Soviet Union had a strong influence in Afghanistan. They supported modernization and education in the Afghan state. The United States, not wanting to risk their hegemony in the region, clearly had a major problem with this. They were terrified of the spread of Communism and quickly developed a plan. Afghanistan would become the Cold War’s chessboard. In the late 80’s, the Saudis, Pakistanis, and the Americans brought in radical Islamists from around the world. They armed, trained, and directed them into a militant force, and they were called the mujahideen. They became the US’ main offense against the Soviets. It wasn’t to defend the Afghans against the Soviets who were ready to pull out, but to deliver as much harm against them imaginable. Carter wanted Afghanistan to be the Soviet’s “Vietnam”. And it was. When they finally retreated Afghanistan spun into chaos and a civil war ensued under the militant mujahideen warriors. Within this framework we saw the rise of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and of course Osama bin Laden. All under the auspices of the United States security forces and American tax-payer monies. Clinton’s bombing of Sudan and Afghanistan was directly responsible for their rise. Oh, and then in what was most likely the greatest immoral injustice of the 21st century the United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 only further driving the besieged nation further into turmoil.
What does this mean? The mujahideen, the Taliban, and Al Qaeda do not represent thousands of years of Afghan culture and Islam. They are a direct reaction to Western imperialism. The root cause for the disparity between the two pictures is foreign intervention. Not Islam, and certainly not Arabs.
Second, here is a history on Iran. Before 1953, Iran was ruled under a democratically elected man called Mohammad Mosaddegh. Under his reign Iran saw a progressive movement of social and political reforms. During this time Britain tried to establish an oil company (British Petroleum) on Iranian soil, and promised to share profit and technology with the Iranian government. However the British, as usual, didn’t honor their agreement. They, and the United States, began to steal Iran’s oil. Prime Minister Mosaddegh would not stand for this and demanded the seizure of the oil fields and the ouster of the British. In response, the British and the United States overthrew him in a coup and installed the Shah who was a brutal tyrant and ruled the nation under an absolute monarchy. The women in this picture did live well, but that was because they were members of a very small minority and in the Shah’s social circle. Everyone else in Iran lived under harsh conditions. The economy was failing, education was abysmal, and the entire nation was rural and very religious.
Today, Iran’s health care is better. They have more political freedom. Education is improving, and the country is slowly globalizing. The economy is slightly better off, however that is quickly changing with the Western world’s sanctions against Iran in midst of their nuclear propaganda campaign at the behest of Israel.
What does this mean? Essentially, the Islamic Revolution had little to do with the rise of an Islamic state; rather the resistance of Western imperialism. Almost every social and political group was united in resisting the Shah, from the communists to the secularists to the Islamists. They demanded Iranian sovereignty and political freedoms. Is the current regime in Iran perfect? Absolutely not, and I’m passionately against it. But this picture is extremely distortive of the truth.
Unfortunately, we have gone full circle. Today, the United States is supporting terrorist cells in Iran in an attempt to oust the current Iranian regime. They want to establish another pro-Western government like the Shah and “try again” where they failed. They have been doing this for decades and it hasn’t been working well. That is why we are now seeing media hysteria against Iran, and their false quest to achieve nuclear power and bomb Israel. Iran is a peaceful nation, and always has been. They have never attacked another nation, and have absolutely no intention of attacking Israel or anyone else for that matter. The United States’ war against Iran is rooted solely to seek revenge for their failed foreign policy in the 70’s and to once again take control of their natural resources…[/quote]
[QUOTE=TH89;38602710]Some writing by a friend of mine that's very relevant to this stuff:[/QUOTE]
yeah. it's disingenuous to post those pictures without any kind of wider context
[QUOTE=Turnips5;38602645]the thing that gets me is that Iran is currently such an amazing counterexample to any kind of argument that starts "well, men are more likely to do science because their brains..." in that 70% of its science and engineering students are women.[/QUOTE]
but this sort of thing makes me incredibly confused
the article doesn't give a satisfactory explanation as to why more women are applying for science
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;38602910]but this sort of thing makes me incredibly confused[/QUOTE]
it probably should do when we're used to it being arbitrarily the other way round in western society
[quote]the article doesn't give a satisfactory explanation as to why more women are applying for science[/quote]
I really don't know much about it. There's a little section [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_education_in_Iran#Ideology_and_politics_in_higher_education"]here[/URL] which says one or two interesting things, including the fact that Baha'i people are barred from entering higher education. In general it seems like Iranian higher education has bounced back, but is still discriminating against certain people on ridiculous bases
also, there's no real reason for the article to focus on it, considering it's not even about that
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;38602910]but this sort of thing makes me incredibly confused
the article doesn't give a satisfactory explanation as to why more women are applying for science[/QUOTE]
Probably because men in these societies are more likely to be the ultraconservative islamic anti intellectual type than women. Demographically speaking.
[QUOTE=Turnips5;38603059]it probably should do when we're used to it being arbitrarily the other way round in western society
I really don't know much about it. There's a little section [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_education_in_Iran#Ideology_and_politics_in_higher_education"]here[/URL] which says one or two interesting things, including the fact that Baha'i people are barred from entering higher education. In general it seems like Iranian higher education has bounced back, but is still discriminating against certain people on ridiculous bases
also, there's no real reason for the article to focus on it, considering it's not even about that[/QUOTE]
no i mean if oppressing women makes them go to university more then surely the best way to reverse the gender gap in the sciences in the west is to start oppressing women more???
[editline]26th November 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=Melkor;38603086]Probably because men in these societies are more likely to be the ultraconservative islamic anti intellectual type than women. Demographically speaking.[/QUOTE]
plausible but I don't think it could account for such a big disparity
[QUOTE=The golden;38603512]Look back to the dark ages when there were women who practiced herbal medicine and other such things. They were shunned (or more often raped and executed) by male "medical" practitioners who practiced religious healing.[/QUOTE]
source?
[QUOTE=TH89;38602710]Some writing by a friend of mine that's very relevant to this stuff (yeah he talks about Afghanistan in the beginning cause it was in response to a picture of Iran and Afghanistan):[/QUOTE]
Is your friend a historian, because this was a good read.
[QUOTE=The golden;38603512]Look back to the dark ages when there were women who practiced herbal medicine and other such things. They were shunned (or more often raped and executed) by male "medical" practitioners who practiced religious healing.[/QUOTE]
A huge number of "witches" burned (herb doctors, people suffering from insanity and others) were actually men.
Generally speaking, the idea of female witches has probably more to do with food in the dark ages and the disparity on it, than that herbal women are more common.
[QUOTE=laserguided;38602603]Afghanistan was great, until the west sponsered terrorism within their borders.[/QUOTE]
pffff keep telling yourself that a soviet afghanistan would be fucking amazing.
[QUOTE=trotskygrad;38603759]pffff keep telling yourself that a soviet afghanistan would be fucking amazing.[/QUOTE]
Western Imperialist Afghanistan doesn't set a particularly high bar.
[QUOTE=trotskygrad;38603759]pffff keep telling yourself that a soviet afghanistan would be fucking amazing.[/QUOTE]
Glorious, proud and strong communist mine workers and farmers serving for society. Much better then Taliban Afghanistan.
[QUOTE=Thom12255;38602423][img]http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s480x480/576135_303000249799153_1690939573_n.jpg[/img]
[sp]70's Iranian Uni Students[/sp][/QUOTE]
What the hell, is Iran reversing in time?
[QUOTE=Karmah;38604181]What the hell, is Iran reversing in time?[/QUOTE]
No. Go read the article I just posted.
stop following that shitey book that no one gives a bollock about let em read a fucken book
I concur, fuck books
Guys this is a pretty good initiative from Iran. If women were studying nuclear physics, who knows how colorful they would make Iran's nukes. They would be F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S. No one would take Iran seriously.
[QUOTE=Falubii;38602529]Fuck off Iranian government.[/QUOTE]
FTFY
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