A group of Iranian women’s rights activists engaged members of the country’s parliament, the Majlis, to discuss a “family protection” bill that is also known in some quarters as the anti women’s bill, when they participated on Sunday in the meetings of the assembly’s judiciary committee. The result of this exercise was that the legislative body has decided to discuss the bill in camera, away from the public scrutiny and transparency. Rooz spoke with a women’s activist Marzie Mortazi Langaroodi about the bill and the session. Here are the excerpts.
Rooz (R): Ms Mortazi, tell us briefly at the outset how did this vast coalition of women to oppose the family protection bill come about?
Marzie Mortazi Langaroodi (MML): Ever since the family protection bill came to the Majlis and was approved by its various committees, an atmosphere opposing it was created in society and as a consequence different women’s groups too different positions regarding it, but regardless of the foundations of these groups, i.e. whether they were secular or religious, conservative or not, inside the country or outside, there was one thing common among them: they were all against its contents and provisions.
R: How did these women join hands?
MML: Through articles in the Internet, interviews, and direct personal interactions, a coalition of women was formed. Activists who worked on this issue tried different and various methods to attract public attention to this bill. Among them was participation in the Majlis and talking to the representatives about it.
R: Do you have a written critic of the bill to submit to the Majlis?
MML: Today, women attorneys, mothers for peace, women members of the campaign, etc presented their opinions of the bill. It was documented and written, and presented to the Majlis committee. They are keen on keeping this channel. I stress this because if the government stops its defensive behavior towards women and trusts it, we can be certain that women’s movement activists will want talks with the government and the regime.
R: Did members of the Majlis judiciary committee not present a defense of the bill?
MML: An important issue that was raised was that this bill rested on religious principles. But the women participants at the session explained that Islam had the potential and authority to be compatible with current issues.
R: This was perhaps a rare occasion in the way women activists dealt with an issue. Do you think there will be other opportunities for this type of communication to take place?
MML: When we go to the Majlis, and ask the legislature and executive branches of government to pass laws in favor of women, it means that women’s movement activists in Iran want women’s issues to be solved inside the country. I think this attitude can help solve many problems. It really means that neither the enemies of the people can misuse these movements, nor will the activists of the movement allow any misuse, and the state cannot accuse women and women’s movement activists of working to overthrow the state.
