Her dream is to let women know their rights

Tehran: If Fatima Hashemi Rafsanjani were given the chance to rub Aladdin's lamp, she would ask the genie to deliver one wish: that Iranian women be educated about their rights at school.

"The main problem [for women is] not knowing about their rights," and by educating them, things will improve, believes Fatima, the elder daughter of former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani, and head of several NGOs in Iran.

She believes the best place to teach these rights is at school.

"If women know their rights, they can solve their problems."

In an exclusive interview with Gulf News recently in her office where she works as head of the Organisation of Special Diseases, located in the heart of Tehran, 48-year-old Fatima says the general status of Iranian women is "not bad", yet there is room for improvement, mainly in the legal field.

Divorce

"We have legal problems about divorce issues, because according to the law it is the man who must ask for divorce, and when a woman asks for divorce, many problems arise.

"After the revolution this problem has been solved to some extent, when women were allowed to add conditions to prenuptial contracts," she says through an interpreter.

Fatima explains the law now gives women the right to include their own conditions in a marriage contract before they tie the knot. This is of great benefit to them.

Some women, however, don't want to do this because they still have certain social preconceptions that men should always have the upper hand in family affairs.

Some women, who are aware of their rights, do ask to include conditions in their prenuptial contract.

Yet, some others seem totally unaware of their rights, says Fatima, a determined social activist for the rights of women.

Women activists in Iran have been struggling for many years that women could have more rights in family matters, mainly in cases of divorce and where the custody of children is involved.

According to Iranian law, a man can divorce a woman whenever he wishes, and the father automatically gets custody of a boy over two years of age or a girl over seven years.

If a woman, on the other hand, wants a divorce, she needs to prove either that a husband cannot provide for his family, is a drug addict, is insane or that he is impotent.

Although different political groupings in Iran have widely differing views on women's rights, she does not think this is going to hold women back.

Unlike the reformist camp, under whose rule Iran saw its first female vice-president, the current conservative government has a rather different view on women's role in government.

"Ultimately, whoever comes to power, would have their own ideas on either limiting or increasing the role of women.

"What happened after the revolution, was that women received better education and now they won't allow themselves to be pressured. If a group comes to power that tries to hold women back, women themselves won't allow it," she says.

Conservatives have tighten their grip on parliament in the first round of parliamentary elections in Iran. The run-off round is scheduled for April 25.

Fatima was born into a political family that had always been known for helping others and for its involvement in society.

"Political life is not a comfortable life," says Fatima, flashing her captivating smile.

She prefers the visible changes she can achieve in the social field. "It is easier to see the results of problems that have been solved."

"I believe whatever social reforms take place, they will also influence politics," adds Fatima.

Rafsanjani himself always "felt that whatever he did would be for the benefit of the people," whether before the revolution, when he was in prison, or after the revolution when he became a president.

He is currently chairman of the Assembly of Experts and of the Expediency Council of Iran.

His strong character deeply influenced his children, notes Fatima, whose physical resemblance to her father is striking.

"Very much," said Fatima when asked if she had been influenced by her father. "Our father always believed we should study. Even in the gap between a BA degree and an MA, he said it would be a mistake to work. "You should first continue your education," recalls Fatima.

She bursts out laughing when asked to comment on whether there are many strong women behind Iranian male leaders. In the Arab world, it is said: "Behind every great man, there is a woman," but to Fatima, "it is a two-way relationship and it depends on the family relations".

Biodata: Fatima Rafsanjani