Women gain ground in decision-making roles: MP
By Sadeq Dehqan &
Hamideh Hosseini
Staff writers
The head of the women’s parliamentary faction said that the necessary groundwork has been laid for more women to take part in the country’s top decision-making and managerial positions.
Fatemeh Mohammadbeigi, who is also the First Vice President of the Health and Medical Commission, made the comment in an exclusive interview with Iran Daily reporter.
She pointed out that women are now holding high-ranking managerial positions in various countries, and given the large number of talented, influential, specialized, efficient, and devout women in Iran who possess the qualities emphasized by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the conditions are ripe for more women to join the government’s cabinet and top managerial positions.
Referring to the inclusion of Farzaneh Sadeq-Malvajerd’s name, as a woman, in the list of 19 proposed ministers by President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian, Mohammadbeigi said that for now, having one woman in the cabinet is considered a minimal presence, but the Parliament’s trust in her and confirmation of her qualifications will pave the way for more women to enter ministerial and top decision-making positions.
According to Mohammadbeigi, Sadeq-Malvajerd is a hijab-wearing, powerful, capable, specialized woman and a member of a martyr’s family, with excellent ideas and motivation in her field of expertise. Throughout her years of activity, she has promoted herself through her efforts and management.
Farzaneh Sadeq-Malvajerd, the only woman on President-elect Pezeshkian’s proposed cabinet list, has over two decades of executive and managerial experience and a broad background in architecture and urban planning. As the secretary of the Supreme Council of Architecture and Urban Planning, she has played a key role in shaping policies and overseeing urban development and architecture in the country. This council is one of the most important decision-making bodies in the field of urban planning in Iran.
In addition to her role as secretary of the Supreme Council of Architecture and Urban Planning, Farzaneh Sadeq-Malvajerd has also played a key role in shaping and implementing the country’s urban planning and architecture as the deputy minister of architecture and urban planning at the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. This position has put her in one of the most important executive positions in the country’s urban planning sector.
Mohammadbeigi added that given Sadeq-Malvajerd’s years of managerial experience, it was time for her to be introduced as a minister in the Islamic Republic of Iran and serve the people in this capacity.
She said that since Sadeq-Malvajerd was proposed as the minister of roads and urban development, they have received very positive feedback on this issue, and her announced plans, which are based on correct management methods and problem-solving approaches, have been well-received by the parliamentarians and have gained many positive votes. She said that in a meeting held at the women’s parliamentary faction with Sadeq-Malvajerd’s presence, she answered their questions satisfactorily. They asked her to take serious action in implementing the law supporting families and young population, the law on housing production, the law on taxation of empty houses, the plan for young couples’ housing, providing housing for the disabled and female-headed households.
Mohammadbeigi added that they also asked her to take steps in the transportation sector, including the creation and completion of rural roads and strengthening the north-south and east-west corridors, which is one of the strategic approaches of the Islamic Republic in the fields of economy and international politics.
Sadeq-Malvajerd promised to work on the development of the country’s coastlines, ports, and shipping, as well as strengthening the country’s air fleet and addressing the issue of deprivation. She said, “I think we are in a situation where the Parliament and the government should work hand in hand to support a revolutionary woman who has a bright and successful record of serving the people based on the ideals of the Islamic Revolution, and give her a vote of confidence.”
Mohammadbeigi, who was present at a meeting between a group of women and the Leader last year, said that the Leader emphasized that women should be present in the country’s top decision-making centers and play a role in determining the country’s fundamental destiny.
She said that the Leader emphasized that women can occupy more seats and positions in areas such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Ministry of Culture and Guidance, and even infrastructure ministries based on their qualifications. Mohammadbeigi said that in the past, they had the experience of having Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi as a female minister in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and Sadeq-Malvajerd’s presence as a proposed minister is the second experience of women’s ministry in the Islamic Republic and the first experience of a woman serving as a minister in an infrastructure ministry. According to her research, only four women in the world have served as ministers of roads and urban development.