Women’s Employment in Iranian Society: A Comparative Analysis of Iranian Law, Islamic Jurisprudence, and International Conventions

Abstract

Women’s employment is an important component of social justice, economic development, and the realization of individual rights. Despite the formal recognition of women’s right to work in the Iranian legal system, significant legal, institutional, cultural, and economic barriers continue to affect women’s access to employment, occupational advancement, equal remuneration, and participation in managerial and decision-making positions. This study examines the status of women’s employment in Iran and compares the relevant domestic legal framework with Islamic jurisprudence and international conventions. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical and comparative method based on the examination of constitutional principles, statutory laws, jurisprudential perspectives, and international standards concerning employment and gender equality. The findings indicate that Iranian law recognizes women’s general right to employment and provides several forms of protection, particularly in relation to pregnancy, maternity, and workplace conditions. However, certain legal restrictions, family-law provisions, administrative practices, occupational segregation, unequal domestic responsibilities, and socio-cultural expectations continue to limit the substantive realization of employment equality. The analysis of Islamic jurisprudence shows that women possess independent financial and legal capacity and that no general prohibition on lawful employment can be established. Nevertheless, differing jurisprudential interpretations concerning family roles, public participation, and occupational suitability have influenced the legal regulation of women’s employment. The comparative analysis further demonstrates that international instruments place stronger emphasis on non-discrimination, equal employment opportunities, equal remuneration, career advancement, and access to public and managerial positions. The study concludes that improving women’s employment status in Iran requires a multidimensional approach combining legal reform, effective enforcement mechanisms, merit-based recruitment and promotion, pay transparency, supportive family policies, vocational empowerment, cultural change, and the use of dynamic jurisprudential interpretation to harmonize contemporary social needs with the principles of Islamic law.