Wife of Candidate Mousavi Voice of Reform in Iran Election (May 28, 2009) Jakarta Globe

[Captain_Nemo]

Wife of Candidate Mousavi Voice of Reform in Iran Election (May 28, 2009)

“Rahnavard is reviving hopes that women will get part of their social rights,” said a supporter, Sima Honarvar. “Women’s rights and freedoms went backward during Ahmadinejad’s four years in office. We hope a reformist win will create new hopes for greater freedoms for women.”

Rahnavard is not the first high-profile woman in Iranian affairs. Shirin Ebadi, a human rights lawyer, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, and Masoumeh Ebtekar was a vice president in Khatami’s government.

But Rahnavard is the first spouse to take a major campaign role — and promise to keep her public voice if her husband becomes president. By comparison, Khatami’s wife was only rarely in the public eye and almost nothing is officially known about Ahmadinejad’s wife.

In almost every campaign rally, Rahnavard speaks before her husband.

~snip~

“Why was not a single woman presidential candidate approved? Why are there no women cabinet ministers? Why are housewives not covered by insurance?’’ she asked, referring to demands that women who work inside the home be eligible for unemployment benefits as a way to increase their financial independence.

“This must change. Getting rid of discrimination and demanding equal rights with men is the No. 1 priority for women in Iran,’’ Rahnavard said.

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/wife-of-candidate-mousavi-voice-of-reform-in-iran-election/277923