Imam Khomeini stressed the role of women as society trainer

Imam Khomeini believed that: ‘during the previous regime of Shah, women were suffering from much more agonies than they did in pre-Islam period. In both periods women were suffering and it was Islam that saved them.

Imam Khomeini rejected the current view and negative propaganda that Islam will isolate women, and this new approach encouraged women to retrieve themselves and their standpoints.

The late founder of the Islamic Republic put strong emphasis on the key role of women before and after the revolution as an important strategy and consequently focused attention on cultural activities related to women. 

Imam Khomeini’s ideas and viewpoints expressed during and after the establishment of the Islamic Republic system on the women’s cooperation is a milestone and turning point in the topics related to this important issue.

According to Imam Khomeini: ‘as far as human rights are concerned, there is no difference between man and woman in that both are human beings and woman, like man, has the right to determine her fate. In some cases there are differences between men and women and it is related to their human prestige and status.

Imam Khomeini also emphasizes that: ‘woman should possess equal rights with those of man. Islam has stressed the equality of men’s and women’s rights in determining their fates. This means that they both should enjoy all kinds of freedom. They should be free in selecting, being selected, thinking, educating as well as working in every kind of economic activity.’

Imam Khomeini frequently encouraged women to participate in elections; “What I feel necessary to notify is the participation of brave revolutionary women in the referendum. Women who, beside men and even more than men, had a vital role in the Islamic revolution should notice that in their voting to the Islamic Republic today are playing their roles in constructing the country and this is the meaning of free women and free men.

Emphasizing the equality of men’s and women’s rights, Imam Khomeini laid strong stress on the legal freedom of women in all social aspects. In an interview with Al-Safir at the threshold of Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini uttered that women should be free in selecting, being selected, thinking, educating as well as working in every kind of economic activity.’

In another speech, Imam Khomeini says: ‘There are different rules and principles related to men and women. Some orders are specific to men, and some orders are specific to women. This does not mean that Islam has differentiated between men and women.”

As far as social activities are concerned, women should participate in the country’s substantial affairs. This does not mean that women should isolate themselves in their houses.

In his will, Imam Khomeini addressed women and called them to participate in cultural and economic as well as military arenas for fulfilling Islam and the holy Quran’s goals. The supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution, on different occasions, has emphasized the women’s participation and cooperation in social and political aspects. 

 “Islam desires woman to get the highest levels of mental political and scientific growth….we, on the basis of the supreme trainings of Islam, believe that in each human society, women are obliged to do their bests for the social and political growth and they should accept responsibilities and prepare the required opportunities.” 

 As it can be found out, Imam Khomeini considers women’s social participation quite legal if it is in line with Islamic rules and standards. Moreover, he has considered women’s political participation as mandatory:

“woman should participate in Islamic ordainments. As you used to play an active role in social movements, you should maintain your collaboration and provide your share in the victory and do not forget that whenever needed, you should rise and demonstrate.”

In general, from Imam Khomeini’s speeches and lectures it can be found out that he regarded women’s education, participation in political affairs, business and economic activities quite legal and according to Islam’s emphasis and assertion. During the Islamic Revolution, Iranian women revealed that the Iranian Muslim women do participate in all social and political arenas and their religious beliefs do not forbid them to collaborate in social activities. They proved that while observing their honesty and chastity, they can change the history.