Middle East and Social Change

To look at social change in the last 5 years over the entire Middle East region is a difficult task. The Arab Awakening was successful in deposing authoritarian regimes and em stalling a form of democracy in Tunisia and Egypt, whether these democracies are viable remains to be seem. However political progress does not always translate to civil liberties and social change.
As a social justice student I have taken a focus on human rights and particularly women's rights.  I believe that empowering women through education is the key to overcoming poverty and oppression. When a women is educated their is ripple effect in her family and the community.
In regards to women and education I believe Iran has made the most progress in recent years. Enrolment is education is equal in gender and one third of medical students are female. Today the government reiterated its commitment toward women's education. "Women should enjoy equal opportunities, immunity and social rights; we have a long way to go on this path before we reach the destination," President Rouhani said. The government intend to set up a women workgroup for different religions and tribes in the Women and Family Affairs Department. 

Based on the education reforms and commitment to a future of women's participation in society I predict that Iran will continue the most social change. The next generation of women will be better educated which will impact on broader society. I look forward to seeing further reforms and conditions for women. 

Womens Rehab Clinic in Tehran, a sign of changing times

Women's rehab clinic in Tehran

Transportation of opium from Afghanistan through Iran means there is a growing number of drug abuse amongst the population of Iran. The statistics vary but it is estimated that 3 million of the 27 million population abuse drugs, with 700,000 being women.
Drug abuse is against Islamic values and certainly for women. In a country were women are often oppressed, women who abuse drugs face an even greater challenge. Razeih Khodadoust, the director general of the State Welfare Organization states that “The addiction of women to drugs is a trick by or enemies to attack Islamic values of Iranian families." 
This article is about the women's rehab clinic on the outskirts of Tehran.  The grassroots clinic has been open for 2 years and is all run by women, with little financial support. This is an example of growing women's activism despite the risks.
Since the 1979 revolution the rights of women have been restricted to be in line with Islamic law. Some of the issues included unfair divorce and custody laws, pressure to wear the hijab, increased prostitution and domestic violence. Feminists fighting the oppression are restricted by laws to prohibit advocacy and public discussion of women's issues. Despite many oppressive laws there are also some reforms for women in the decades after the revolution, for example in education where enrolments rates in primary education are equal. Women in higher education are also on the rise, in fact one third of medical school students are female. The framework around women's rights is characterised by "equality-with-difference" which can be interpreted in different ways. However as long as equal education is condoned I think we will continue to see a rise in women's activism, such as this grassroots women rehab clinic in Tehran.