An Investigation of the Status of Women with Respect to the Presidential Position in Islamic Republic of Iran

One of the fundamental rights of women is the right to be present in socio-political arenas and to assume minor and major managerial positions. Fortunately, in IRI, women have succeeded by proving their abilities and competencies to achieve many such positions. The constitution of IRI has recognized the equal rights for women in terms of social engagement and in assuming social and political positions and responsibilities, as well as the equal right to vote, elect, and have a candidacy for being elected for many social professional and political opportunities. However, as is apparent from the provisions of Principle (115) of Constitution, concerning the qualifications to assume the important and sensitive position of presidency, as the highest ranking position below Supreme Leader, gender criteria have been involved, and, as a consequence, women are not eligible to occupy the presidential position. Such understandings of the Principle (115) take root more in religious beliefs and jurisprudence. The present study is aimed at considering the jurisprudential aspects of the problem and tries?while affirming the competencies of the women, and eliminating the wrong illusions?to deal with the potential ways to provide the grounds for presence and engagement of the mighty women in social arenas.