Embracing womanhood a wonderful journey
Status of Iranian women through lens of book fair attendees
By Zohreh Qanadi
Staff writer
Status of women in Iran through lens of females, as perceived by book fair attendees, offers a unique and insightful perspective.
The 35th Tehran International Book Fair, running from May 8 to 19, brought together more than 2,700 publishers, including around 100 firms from 25 countries, at the capital’s iconic mosque the Grand Mosalla (prayer ground) to present 50,000 books running a full gamut of subjects for every age group and taste.
With the motto of “Read and Create”, the event draws over 400,000 visitors every day.
One of the most notable aspects of the exhibition is the lively participation of women, indicating that this group constitutes a large portion of the audience of the Tehran International Book Fair. A recent survey on “Reading Habits of Iranians” revealed that some 29% of women read non-academic books more than men.
In the bustling hall of the fair, amidst the diverse range of literary works, the topic of women’s status emerges as a focal point of discussion. The issue of Muslim dress code for women, known as hijab has been a hot topic in Iranian society in recent years.
From the perspective of female attendees, the narrative unfolds with a range of viewpoints and deep insights into the status of Iranian women.
Among a group of women browsing through purchased books with satisfaction in the courtyard of the exhibition venue, questions arose about the women’s position in Iran. Leyla, 23, a mathematics student, says “Embracing womanhood is a wonderful journey, and Iranian women today have found themselves in a position where they can truly appreciate their own worth and presence”.
On the sidelines of the book fair, the young woman says “The description of the status of women in Iranian society depends on each individual’s perspective”.
“Everyone can arrange their circumstances according to their personality and beliefs to adjust to the current situation in the country,” she says, describing women’s place in society. While also expressing her belief that “Everyone deserves the freedom to express themselves and act within the boundaries of law and their own convictions.”
The advancement of women’s ranking in society was another topic explored on the sidelines of the fair. The progress of women’s status in society and giving them leeway to demonstrate their talents in various fields, especially in the scientific, academic, and sports domains, over the past years is undeniable.
Women have been able to secure a big majority both at school and on campus over the past four decades, according to official figures. The percentage of women in the student population has risen from 31% in 1977 to 61% in 2022. Additionally, the number of female students being admitted to universities has seen a 56% growth.
In this context, Shima, a psychology student, remarks, “In general, Iranian women and girls have shown remarkable abilities in different areas in recent years.” The 25-year-old woman saw Iranian women as strong and voiced optimism that women from all walks of life can engage collectively in society. Sanaz, 50, highlights the capabilities of the youth, saying that “The younger generation of women today has been able to demonstrate their strength much more than in the past.”
The university professor adds women have been able to shine in doing jobs once considered as taboos by society.
Books on women are prominently featured in this year’s exhibition.
Sepideh, 30, lauds this year’s event for “its exceptional variety of books” within her preferred field, psychology.
Another female participant Marjan, 28, also praises the fair as magnificent and finds the books related to girls and women hopeful. She expresses satisfaction in finding “up-to-date and suitable books in this field.”