Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Akbar Zolfaghari ¹
• Taha Ashayeri ²
• Tahereh Jahanparvar ³

¹ Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

³ Ph.D Student, Cultural Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Communication and Media, Islamic Azad University Central Tehran branch, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
In today’s world, women’s political participation holds significant importance, serving as the foundation of sustainable development. Political development has transcended gender segregation, and achieving balance in this area requires the simultaneous, synchronized, and balanced presence of both men and women. In Iran, despite the Iranian Islamic Revolution and the expansion of opportunities for women’s free participation in political affairs, multiple obstacles still hinder their full engagement. Given the importance of political participation and its growing trend in Iran, numerous studies have been conducted on this issue over the past decades. However, research on this topic often yields inconsistent results. Using a meta-synthesis approach, the current study aimed to identify, categorize, and propose solutions to obstacles to women’s political participation in Iran. The primary objective was to synthesize findings from both qualitative and quantitative research on obstacles to women’s political participation in Iran, providing a comprehensive and cohesive analysis of existing studies.
Literature Review
Over the last century, as public awareness has increased, the concept of participation (musharekat in Persian) has gained momentum. The term musharekat derives from the infinitive mufa'ala (Shafi'i Motahar, 2003), which literally means to cooperate and participate (Lutz & Caldecott, 1996; Wily, 1997). In an idiomatic sense, it refers to the collective engagement of individuals in development programs (Khoshfar et al, 2018). Political participation is a key form of participation and a fundamental aspect of any political system (Zolfaghari et al., 2022). It signifies the conscious decision of individuals to take part in determining their own destiny, to move in the path of societal progress and development (Niazi et al., 2018). Political participation refers to the voluntary political activities of people in electing rulers (Pourrahim, 2011), exercising sovereignty in elections, influencing decision-making, and contributing to governance (Ghafari & Al-Ghafoor, 2018). It encompasses both direct participation and indirect involvement in shaping policies (Firhi, 1997, p. 44; McClosky, 1968; Milbreth & Goel, 2006). Additionally, political participation serves as a tool for political development (Åberg & Sandberg, 2017; Boutilier, 2017; Welzel et al., 2018), fosters relationships, enhances social cohesion and trust, and facilitates interactions between citizens and the government (La Due Lake & Huckfeldt, 1998). Political participation also refers to both legitimate and illegitimate methods used to influence the selection of leaders, the formulation of policies, and the overall administration of government (Milbrath, 1981). It is a crucial aspect of a nation’s political life and leadership (Ashtrian & Amirzadeh, 2012) and serves as a means of shaping government policies and influencing the selection of government officials (Effing et al, 2011).
Materials and Methods
This research employed a meta-synthesis approach to analyze both quantitative and qualitative studies published between 2007 and 2021. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used, resulting in a final sample of 23 research documents. These documents were selected based on their reliability, validity, research quality, adherence to scientific criteria, and relevance to the obstacles to women’s political participation. The data collection and analysis was carried out in several stages. First, the keywords participation, women, women’s political participation, and obstacles to women's political participation were searched across various databases, including Noormags, Iranian journals and magazines, Scientific Information Database (SID), and IranDoc. From an initial pool of 56 documents, 23 were chosen for analysis. The selected documents were then examined based on five main categories: 1) general characteristics, 2) research objectives and questions, 3) research methodology, 4) investigated variables, and 5) findings and results analysis.
Results and Discussion
The research results indicate that the main obstacles to women’s political participation in Iran can be categorized into six categories: social, cultural, political, economic, psychological, and demographic. Social obstacles include the male-dominated atmosphere of society, social discrimination, and gendered job opportunities. Cultural obstacles stem from traditional and cultural norms, the educational system, and tribal–patriarchal models. Political obstacles involve political obstruction, prevailing political beliefs, male political dominance, and a low political culture. Economic obstacles include economic inequality, economic anomie, and financial dependence. Psychological obstacles are linked to low self-confidence, psychological beliefs, and a sense of psychological anomie. Demographic factors encompass climate, location, family, and physiological factors. The research findings suggest that the main obstacles to women’s political participation in Iran can be categorized into six categories: social, cultural, political, economic, psychological, and demographic. Social obstacles are linked to factors such as education, socialization, gender stereotypes, levels of literacy and awareness, economic power, and access to communication means. Cultural obstacles stem from deeply ingrained beliefs and convictions among people. Political obstacles are largely influenced by the structure and nature of the political system. Finally, economic obstacles are shaped by prevailing economic conditions.
Conclusion
The political participation of women, who make up a significant portion of the country’s population, can contribute to improved decision-making, a better understanding of sociopolitical life, the creation of new political values and attitudes, the reduction of sociopolitical inequalities, and, ultimately, sociopolitical development.

Keywords

• Women
• Political Participation
• Gender Development
• Patriarchal Politics
• Political Apathy

Main Subjects

• Political Sociology