Abstract

Registered women’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Islamic Republic of Iran occupy a critical space in the socio-political landscape. They are neither government insiders nor anti-regime activists, instead advocating for incremental change within the constraints of the system. Drawing on interviews with NGO leaders, this article sheds light on the objectives and activities of five registered women’s organisations as they work in the so-called ‘moderate’ political climate of the Rouhani government. The findings show that although the NGOs provide education and training, essential services, and recreational activities for women, they steer clear of seeking fundamental changes to laws on women’s rights. This approach is predicated on security considerations. NGO activists are keenly cognisant of state sensitivities and the risk to their work, registration and liberty. The NGOs’ reluctance to seek fundamental changes to laws concerning women’s status reflects palpable anxiety amongst activists over the possibility of political backlash. Rouhani’s ‘moderate’ politics do not appear to have relaxed tensions between the government and civil society, which were at their peak under his predecessor. The focus of contemporary NGOs on achieving behavioural, attitudinal and procedural change is significant, and has the potential to make a real difference in women’s lives.

摘要

在伊朗伊斯兰共和国注册的妇女非政府组织 (NGO) 在社会政治格局中占有重要的地位。他们既不是政府内部人士，也不是反政权活动家，而是主张在体制限制内进行渐进式变革。本文通过对非政府组织领导人的采访，阐明了五个注册妇女组织在鲁哈尼政府所谓的“温和”政治氛围中工作时的目标和活动。调查结果表明，尽管非政府组织为妇女提供教育和培训、基本服务和娱乐活动，但他们避开寻求对妇女权利法律进行根本性修改。这种方法基于安全考虑。非政府组织积极分子敏锐地意识到国家的敏感性及其工作、注册和自由的风险。非政府组织不愿寻求对有关妇女地位的法律进行根本性修改，这反映了活动家对政治反弹可能性的明显焦虑。鲁哈尼的“温和”政治似乎并未缓和政府与民间社会之间的紧张关系，而后者在他的前任时期达到顶峰。当代非政府组织对实现行为、态度和程序改变的关注意义重大，并且有可能对妇女的生活产生真正的影响。鲁哈尼的“温和”政治似乎并未缓和政府与民间社会之间的紧张关系，而后者在他的前任时期达到顶峰。当代非政府组织对实现行为、态度和程序改变的关注意义重大，并且有可能对妇女的生活产生真正的影响。鲁哈尼的“温和”政治似乎并未缓和政府与民间社会之间的紧张关系，而后者在他的前任时期达到顶峰。当代非政府组织对实现行为、态度和程序改变的关注意义重大，并且有可能对妇女的生活产生真正的影响。