Iran's Lost Era: Women Thrived Before The 1979 Revolution

The Islamic Revolution of 1979 brought seismic changes to Iran, not least for women. Before 1979, Iranian women wore miniskirts, earned advanced degrees, ran businesses, and lived lives that looked remarkably like their Western peers. This period, often overlooked or misunderstood in contemporary discussions about Iran, represents a vibrant chapter where women were increasingly integrated into public life, education, and the workforce, enjoying freedoms that would be drastically curtailed following the revolution.

The transformation of Iranian society leading up to 1979 was profound, driven by a deliberate push towards modernization by the Pahlavi regime. This era saw women emerging from traditional confines into a more liberal and progressive environment, influencing everything from fashion to professional careers. The stark contrast between Iran before and after the revolution highlights a significant rollback of women's rights, making it crucial to understand the progress that was achieved and the aspirations that were fostered in the decades leading up to that pivotal year.

Table of Contents

• A Nation on the Cusp of Modernity
• Pahlavi Reforms and Women's Empowerment
  • The White Revolution and Suffrage
• Education and Professional Advancement
• Economic Participation and Leadership
• Cultural Shifts and Western Influence
• The Roots of Women's Activism
  • Early 20th Century Movements
• A World Looking Brighter for Women
• The Drastic Reversal of 1979
  • The Fight Continues

A Nation on the Cusp of Modernity

Before the revolution, Iran was a country on the brink of widespread modernization and social change. The vision of the Pahlavi shahs, particularly Reza Shah and his son, Mohammed Reza Shah, was to introduce modernity into Iran, much like Ataturk did in Turkey. This ambitious agenda aimed to transform Iran into a progressive, industrialized nation, and a significant part of this transformation centered around the status and role of women. The extended photo collection from this era clearly shows Iranian society prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, revealing a very different world—a world that was looking brighter for women. This period was characterized by a vibrant and modernizing society, where the winds of change promised greater freedoms and opportunities for all, especially for women in Iran.

Pahlavi Reforms and Women's Empowerment

The Pahlavi regime's efforts to modernize Iran were deeply intertwined with reforms concerning women's rights. Reza Shah, in the 1930s, initiated policies that included the unveiling of women, encouraging their participation in public life. His son, Mohammed Reza Shah, continued and expanded upon these reforms. Many of their reforms centered around women, placing them in the forefront of societal transformation. This top-down approach aimed to integrate women into the national fabric, not just as homemakers but as active contributors to the nation's development. These policies laid the groundwork for significant advancements, fundamentally altering the landscape for women in Iran.

The White Revolution and Suffrage

A pivotal moment in the changing status of women in Iran was the "White Revolution," a series of reforms launched by Mohammed Reza Shah in 1963. Among its most significant provisions was the granting of the right to vote for women in 1963. This was a monumental victory for the Iranian women's movement, which had been gaining momentum. Between 1963 and 1979, the Iranian women's movement gained victories such as the right for women to vote in 1963, a part of Mohammed Reza Shah's White Revolution. This era also saw the implementation of family protection laws that granted women more rights in marriage and divorce, further solidifying their legal standing and personal autonomy. These reforms were not merely symbolic; they had tangible impacts on the daily lives and future prospects of women in Iran.

Education and Professional Advancement

Education was a cornerstone of the modernization efforts, and women were significant beneficiaries of this push. Before 1979, Iranian women earned advanced degrees, a testament to the increasing access to higher education. The statistics from the eve of the Islamic Revolution paint a clear picture: 187,928 women were studying in various branches of Iran’s universities. This substantial number indicates a widespread embrace of educational opportunities among women, leading to a more educated and skilled female population. This educational attainment was not just for personal enrichment; it directly translated into greater professional opportunities and a more active role in the national economy and public sector for women in Iran.

Economic Participation and Leadership

The increasing educational attainment of women naturally led to greater participation in the workforce. On the eve of the Islamic Revolution, nearly 2 million women were gainfully employed in public and private sectors. This figure underscores the significant economic contribution of women to Iranian society. Furthermore, their roles were not limited to entry-level positions. Of nearly 150,000 women employees of the government, 1,666 occupied managerial positions. This demonstrates that women were not only present in the workforce but were also rising to positions of leadership and influence. Beyond the civil service, women were also running businesses, contributing to the entrepreneurial spirit of the nation. The presence of 22 Majlis deputies and two senators, one ambassador, and three deputy ministers further illustrates the extent to which women had broken through traditional barriers to achieve political and diplomatic representation, showcasing the remarkable progress of women in Iran before the revolution.

Cultural Shifts and Western Influence

The modernization drive also brought significant cultural shifts, particularly in fashion and lifestyle. Iranian women felt free, happy, and hopeful at this time as they could dress as they liked as long as it wasn’t a hijab. This freedom of expression extended to adopting Western trends and styles. A holiday snapshot of a young woman on the beach in Iran in the 1960s, or pictures showing big loose curls and red lips replicated by British and American women, illustrate how Western fashion was in style for Iranian women as well. This cultural openness was a visual manifestation of the broader societal changes, where women were increasingly influenced by global trends and had the autonomy to choose their personal style. This period fostered a sense of normalcy and integration with global contemporary lifestyles, where Iranian women lived lives that looked remarkably like their Western peers.

The Roots of Women's Activism

It is important to recognize that the progress made by women in Iran was not solely a gift from the Pahlavi shahs. Iranian women have fought for their rights before, during, and since the Iranian Revolution. Their dedication to full equality has remained high. Women in Iran began agitating for increased rights in the late 19th century. Their efforts were abetted by liberalization under the first Shah of Iran and later by his son. This historical context reveals a persistent and resilient women's movement, advocating for their rights long before the more visible reforms of the Pahlavi era.

Early 20th Century Movements

The present paper elaborates on the Iranian women's movements starting from the earliest documented records in the early twentieth century when Iranian women acted as a major support for their male counterparts during the years leading to the Constitutional Revolution in Iran. It further follows women activists through the Pahlavi era. Indeed, in the former, feminism describes introduction women have always been present along the history and paid role in its construction, even though their contributions are often masked or overshadowed. This continuous struggle highlights that while the Pahlavi reforms accelerated progress, they built upon a foundation of long-standing activism and a societal yearning for greater equality among women in Iran. The decreasing fertility rate observed during this period also suggests a shift in women's priorities, indicating they were comparatively less eager to give birth, perhaps opting for education and career over early marriage and large families, reflecting a growing sense of agency.

A World Looking Brighter for Women

The overall trajectory for women in Iran before the revolution was one of increasing opportunity, freedom, and integration into modern society. The progress was undeniable: women were pursuing higher education, entering diverse professions, participating in politics, and enjoying personal freedoms, including choices in dress. It was also a world that was looking brighter for women. And, as everyone knows, when things get better for women, things get better for society as a whole. This period fostered a sense of optimism and progress, where the future seemed to hold even greater promise for gender equality and societal advancement. The vibrant and modernizing society of the early 20th century was a testament to the potential for Iran to evolve into a truly progressive nation, with women playing a central role in its development.

The Drastic Reversal of 1979

Then came the Islamic Revolution—and a profound shift. The Islamic Revolution of 1979 brought seismic changes to Iran, not least for women. But the advent of Ayatollah Khomeini and his conservative revolution in 1979 caused a drastic reverse in the progress of Iranian women. Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Iran became an Islamic Republic, and the Islamic Republic imposes strict rules on Iranian life. This extended photo collection shows Iranian society prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and, it’s obvious that Iran was a very different world. The Islamic Republic of Iran, as we know it today, is vastly different from the Iran that existed before the 1979 revolution. It’s a sharp contrast to the vibrant, modernizing society of the early 20th century. In 1979, during the Iranian revolution, women’s rights in Iran took a drastic step back.

The Fight Continues

Despite the significant setbacks, the spirit of activism among Iranian women has not been extinguished. As Haleh Esfandiari, author of "Reconstructed Lives: Women and Iran's Islamic Revolution," noted in an interview reproduced by the Wilson Center, women in Iran have continued to fight for their rights. Esfandiari left Iran in 1978 and returned 14 years later to investigate the impact the revolution had on women, finding a resilient will to resist and adapt. Currently, activists are trying to restore fundamental rights for women within Iran. Their dedication to full equality has remained high, demonstrating an enduring legacy of struggle and hope for the future. The story of women in Iran is one of remarkable progress, followed by a profound reversal, but also one of persistent courage and an ongoing fight for the freedoms once enjoyed and still deeply desired. The period before 1979 serves as a powerful reminder of what was achieved and what was lost. It highlights a time when Iranian women were at the forefront of a nation's modernization, enjoying freedoms and opportunities that allowed them to flourish personally and professionally. Understanding this era is crucial for comprehending the aspirations and struggles of Iranian women today. It underscores the importance of human rights and the profound impact of political and social transformations on the lives of individuals. If you found this exploration into the lives of women in Iran before the revolution insightful, please share this article with others who might benefit from this historical perspective. What aspects of this era surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and explore our other articles on global social changes and human rights.