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The Conservative–Reformist Conflict Over Women's Rights in Iran

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Abstract

The struggle over women's rights has been one of the main battlegrounds between the forces of modernity and tradition in Iranian politics and society. With the emergence of a Reformist movement in 1997 this struggle entered a new phase in the Islamic Republic. It became part of the part of a broader conflict over two differing notions of Islam. One is an absolutist and legalistic Islam, premised on the notion of “duty,” tolerating no dissent and making little concession to popular will and contemporary realities. The other is a pluralistic and tolerant Islam that promotes democratic values and human rights—including women's rights.

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Mir-Hosseini, Z. The Conservative–Reformist Conflict Over Women's Rights in Iran. International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society 16, 37–53 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016530427616

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