Molaverdi: Women's Political, Economic Empowerment Of Significance

Tehran, Oct 9, IRNA – Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi said on Wednesday that women's economic and political empowerment will be of significance in meeting the targets of the 20-Year Vision Plan. Underlining women's influential role in sustainable development of the country, Molaverdi told a three-day seminar of women affairs' advisors in Ministry of Industries, Mines and Trade that change in approach towards the natural resources based economy to the knowledge-based economy is necessary. She expressed dissatisfaction with the small share of women in the society, saying their share is not in proportion to the role they play. Though Iran reserves a more suitable condition compared to other countries in terms of certain development indices as education and health, more efforts need to be made with regards to the gender empowerment and increasing the level of progress in various domains, she added. Studies show that Iran's labor market is male-dominated, forcing female workforce to be marginalized in economy and get meager share in payments, job security and welfare, she added. Low participation rate of female workforce in economy will have direct impact on families' welfare, she added./end