TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday affirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring women’s participation in various fields, describing gender justice as a social and economic necessity and a moral principle.
Pezeshkian made the remark on Sunday as he addressed a ceremony in Tehran to mark the National Women’s Day in Iran. The occasion is celebrated on the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA), the daughter of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
The president said his administration is committed to attracting women’s active participation in the cultural, economic and social fields, his official website reported.
“The country’s sustainable development needs a comprehensive view and cooperation. Achieving development goals will not be possible without women’s active participation. Therefore, we consider gender justice not only a moral principle but also an economic and social necessity,” Pezeshkian said.
Gender, ethnicity or religion are not the factors determining the status of a person, he said, adding that individuals’ positions depend on their piety, abilities and performance.
If a woman has a better performance than a man in a specific field, she should receive more respect, the president added.
He also referred to Islamic values calling for respect for women.
“We give importance to gender justice also based on teachings of Islam that has an entirely different view about women,” the president said.