Rediscovering Sepandarmazgan: Iran’s forgotten day of love

TEHRAN - Before Valentine’s Day, there was Sepandarmazgan, an occasion dedicated to cherishing women and love.

By Maryam Tavassoli

Women's share in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

TEHRAN –The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated every February 11 to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.

Over 70 women in charge of key positions

TEHRAN – More than 70 women are acting as vice president, minister, spokesperson, and other key positions in the government.

More than 100 people killed in Gaza since truce deal: civil defence

At least 101 Palestinians have been killed and more than 264 injured by Israeli attacks in Gaza since the announcement of the recent ceasefire agreement, according to the enclave’s civil defense.

National plan prepared to empower elderly women

TEHRAN –A national plan to empower the elderly women has been prepared and is scheduled to be unveiled soon, Mojgan Rezazadeh, head of the secretariat of the National Council of the Elderly, has announced.

Administration fulfills ‘women in management’ promise

TEHRAN –The appointment of 70 women in management positions proves the current administration has fulfilled its promise to appoint women in managerial positions.

Administration aims to raise women’s presence in entrepreneurship: VP

TEHRAN –The administration has focused on increasing women's share of entrepreneurship in the science and technology sector from currently 12 percent to 30 percent, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, has said.

Women increase share of most-cited Iranian researchers

TEHRAN – Female scholars constitute 665 out of 4,818 most-cited researchers of the country, more than 13 percent of the total, Ahmad Fazelzadeh, the head of the Islamic World Science Citation (ISC) Institute, has said.

VP for women pays visit to Christian charity

TEHRAN –Zahra Behrouz-Azar, the vice president for women and family affairs, paid a visit to Agounk Christian charity in Tehran on Saturday to become familiar with activities of the center toward empowering women and children.

Women are closely connected with environmental protection: head of DOE

TEHRAN –Highlighting the role of women in preserving the environment, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE) has said boosting collaboration between different strata of society and developing green businesses are the key to protecting the environment.

‘Iran highlights empowering women in all aspects’

TEHRAN –Iran has always underscored the economic, cultural, social, and political empowerment of women as a key element in policy-making, legislation, and national planning, Fakhr al-Sadat Fatemi, an advisor to the deputy vice president for women and family affairs, has stated.

Iran, ESCAP to cooperate on empowering women, dealing with natural hazards

TEHRAN –The Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, and the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, have agreed to collaborate on empowering women as well as dealing with natural and environmental disasters.

Iran aims to promote women’s economic, social empowerment: VP

TEHRAN – Zahra Behrouz-Azar, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, has stated that the current administration focuses on empowering women in social and economic areas, as well as improving their access to social services and facilities through implementing certain national programs.

Women hold over 24% share of inventions in Iran

TEHRAN –According to Zahra Behrouz-Azar, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, women account for more than 24 percent of inventions in the country, compared to the global average of 17 percent.

Bill on women's dignity yet to be approved

TEHRAN –It has been four years since a bill on protecting women’s dignity against violence was first submitted to the parliament for approval. However, the bill is still in the process of beig approved.

70% of Gaza dead are women, children: UN

The UN Human Rights Office said on Friday that nearly 70 percent of those killed in Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza are women and children,  calling it “a systematic violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law”.

Life expectancy reaches 78 years for Iranian women

TEHRAN – In the past four decades, women’s life expectancy has increased from 54 years to 78 years, Malihe Kianfar, an official with the health ministry, has announced.

National women’s health week being held

TEHRAN –National women's health week is being observed from October 15 to 21 across the country.

30% of Iran’s handicrafts made by nomadic communities

TEHRAN – Some 30% of Iran’s handicrafts are produced by its nomadic communities, according to Mojtaba Mizban, the deputy of infrastructure development at the Nomads Affairs Organization of Iran.

Nearly 100 Palestinian women held in Israeli prisons

At least 94 Palestinian women are behind bars in Israeli jail, according to the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society.

Women should be empowered through digital economy to solve social problems: VP

TEHRAN –Zahra Behrouz-Azar, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, has said that women should be empowered through the development of the digital economy to solve social problems.

Women, children are torn into pieces in attack on Gaza school

The Palestinian Civil Defence has said that at least 14 people, including women and children, were killed in an Israeli air attack on a school-turned-shelter in the Nuseirat school in central Gaza Strip.

Gaza is hell for aid workers – and it is doubly difficult if you are a woman

I will not hide from you that I suffer from anxiety. Like most humanitarian workers, I can’t sleep. I can’t have sound, uninterrupted sleep as a result of the fear. Fear haunts us in every step. I am one of the founders of the Wefaq Association. Since 2010, the most important work we do is provide protection, economic, legal and psychological support, for women who have been victims of violence and for children at risk.

VP pledges to pursue joining OIC Women's Development Organization

TEHRAN - Zahra Behrouz-Azar, the newly-appointed vice-president for Women and Family Affairs, has said the administration will follow up on a bill to join the Women's Development Organization of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), IRNA reported.

Oman calls for sharing experiences in women, family affairs with Iran

TEHRAN –Oman's Minister of Social Development, Laila Ahmed Al Najjar expressed interest in boosting ties and sharing experiences in women and family affairs with Iran.