“این عکس یک نمونه از طرح‌های ما است”

“This photo is a sample of our designs.”
Reza Alijani

The tenth parliament has some records, including the number of female representatives. Although this number is not high overall and can even be considered insignificant, relatively speaking, compared to the current government in Iran and the history of previous terms, the tenth parliament holds a record. Unfortunately, it seems that due to the weak performance of the government and the supporters of Minoo Khaleghi, there is not much hope for her to enter this parliament.

Furthermore, for the first time it can be said that almost no representative with a conservative agenda has entered the parliament. Therefore, it may be hoped that unlike some previous parliaments, there will truly be female representatives, rather than supporters of the most anti-women policies and acting towards solidifying the most discriminatory laws and approaches.

Aside from the name change, the Women’s Commission of Parliament, which could have been not only a commission exclusively for female representatives, but rather a commission specifically for women’s affairs; now, with the inclusion of male representatives, this commission can act even stronger than before.

In general, the parliament has three main duties and some subsidiary tasks. It seems that the tasks of the women’s commission of the parliament can also be imagined and analyzed within this framework.

Legislation, supervision and occasional approval by ministers and questioning and possibly impeachment of them. Other subsidiary matters also include the membership of some representatives in various commissions and councils related to executive affairs, such as the Money and Credit Council and the like.

In this regard, it seems that the first task of women representatives can be to establish and strengthen the Women’s Commission and prepare a four-year plan within the framework mentioned above, and strive to activate all women and also male representatives in harmony and with the approach of eliminating discrimination against women.

In this way, the first action of this commission can be active intervention in the approval of government ministers, including demanding their plans for women’s participation in their ministries and subordinate administrations, as well as following up on women’s demands in the relevant areas of those ministries. This intervention will lead to the “visibility” of women and their issues by each individual minister.

Furthermore, maintaining constant communication with the Department of Women’s Affairs in the government and strengthening it, along with following up on women’s specific demands, is another important duty of this commission.

But perhaps the most important duty of this commission is to review and amend certain laws in which women’s rights have been neglected or have a discriminatory nature. In this regard, it is possible to consult and collaborate with some women’s rights activists and also some active civil institutions in this field.

The issue of “prioritizing” the demands and problems of women to prevent scattered work, is itself a necessary introduction to fulfilling this task. Communication and consultation with some rights advocates and those who seek to eliminate discrimination from laws and other activists in this field can help prepare a time-bound and phased plan.

However, the difficult task in this regard is convincing other representatives to amend these laws and also making efforts to remove obstacles that the Guardian Council, relying on Sharia and jurisprudence, will likely create. In this regard, communication and consultation with religious intellectuals who have worked in this field, especially some reformist and reform-minded authorities and clergy within the clergy, will be very necessary.

Another important and effective action of this commission is “monitoring” executive affairs from the perspective of women’s demands and issues. Amending and approving positive laws, as well as intervening and advocating during the approval of ministers, will all remain mere words or writings on paper if not accompanied by the continuous duty of “monitoring”.

Monitoring, however, requires monitoring and being informed about the field of implementation, both in the executive branch and in the judicial branch. This is also due to its very wide scope, which is beyond the capabilities of a few members of this commission. The closest and best way to acquire this ability is to communicate with the women’s body and the problems and difficulties of individuals who are directly involved in the other two branches, with their own problems and obstacles, and sometimes with their own obstacles and law avoidance.

In this way, the Women’s Commission of the Parliament can serve as a reference for informing and even advocating for women directly involved in problems. Therefore, this commission requires strong public relations and competence.

Perhaps one of the easiest sources and effective methods of obtaining information and access to practical issues of the other two powers in the field of women is the active communication of this commission with the media, especially parliamentary reporters, which is usually available to every representative on a daily basis. This communication is a two-way win-win relationship. Both the media will benefit from this relationship and the representatives can benefit from the people’s media communications without much financial or non-financial cost.

Continuous communication with public opinion can be the greatest asset of any commission in the parliament. By gaining the trust of public opinion, and especially the trust of those directly affected by problems and obstacles, the commission can also become a refuge and a reference for problem-solving and finding solutions in the relevant area.

Furthermore, members of this commission can play a more active role than in the past in joining institutions that are represented by the parliament (approved by representatives); for example, in the Radio and Television Council or councils related to publications, parties, etc.

All of this, however, requires an initial determination, which is for the representatives of women (and men) who have entered the parliament by giving some promises to eliminate discrimination against women, to be committed to their promise and not to see the parliament and their position as a platform for gaining power, wealth, and status; not to behave in a way that would allow them to pass through the filter of the Guardian Council in future terms.

And it is necessary that within the screws and bolts of the power structure, digestion and absorption do not occur and they do not fall into the trap of conformity, and do not eat bread at the current rate. The space, culture, fashion, and occasions within the power structure are very polluted. Both financially, politically, and culturally. Many experiences show that the fatty and sweet food of power can so taint the teeth of many claimants that it can make them sick and prevent them from fulfilling their duties and promises. The culture of idolatry, following the “menus” of the leaders of the nation, and of course the temptations that follow, is the most dangerous and destructive damage that threatens every representative. This is the greatest danger and warning…

And the need for non-compliance, fear, and counting on the power of bullies outside the parliament is unfortunately due to the weak behaviors of some past individuals who have become corrupt and use the simplest methods to contact and intimidate the representative in order to detain him and prevent him from following the path of the people and their needs, and to pursue contentment and health. The first slip-ups in the face of compliance are stepping into a slippery path that leads to nothing but destruction, pollution, and infamy. And the first fears and doubts are putting a noose around the neck and succumbing to threats, which only make those who have driven the country and the people of Iran towards destruction more aggressive and insistent. In this regard, the study of the chapter on the arrival of the Revolutionary Guards to the Tehran City Council in the memoirs of Ms. Vasemghi and the reaction of this brave, healthy, and pure representative is very instructive and inspiring.

And it is necessary that they do not fear from problems, obstacles, and threats, and more importantly, that they do not become tired and hopeless. Pursuit and perseverance require love. Love for God, people, and a peaceful and calm conscience after the end of their term as representatives. Love also always comes with self-blame. But what does it matter, if the flame of love is in the heart of a passionate person. Love for honesty, loyalty, service, and compassion towards God’s creation. Not only the short term of representation, but also the short term of life passes quickly like lightning and wind. The purpose is to leave a role behind us. In the scene of eternity and in the eyes of God and the strong and precise memory of the suffering people of this ancient land.