Following an unprecedented population growth rate of 3.28% between 1976-1986, the population of Iran doubled from approximately 30 million inhabitants to a current population level of 61 million. The widespread and effective implementation of family planning programs have now reduced population growth to less than 1.7% annually with a resultant drop in average fertility from 6.4 births per woman in 1975-1985 to approximately 3.3 births in 1995. However, Iran has now emerged as the most populous country in the Middle East, and its population is now symbolized by its youth with some 45% of the population under the age of fourteen with a further 26% between 15 and 30 years of age.
Concurrent with the demographic shifts in Iran's population, the effective implementation of rural health programs and the expansion of trained medical services in semi-urban areas has led to:
 

• Reductions in infant mortality from 78 deaths per 1000 live births from 1980 - 1985 to 22.5 in 1995.

• A decrease in maternal mortality from an estimated 200 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1974 to approximately 50    deaths   per 100,000 live births in 1995.

The successes of family planning and rural health programs are a microcosm of a broader national health agenda encompassing immunization, disease control, national vaccination programs and the like. By way of example, in 1979 only 2,500 community health centers existed in rural areas. Following the Islamic Revolution, the number of rural health centers have grown by 484% and now number 14,600. Such steps, among others, have had correspondent effects on factors such as life expectancy which has increased from an average age of 55 in 1979 to an average of 68.5 years today. Measures such as these have won international recognition and praise for Iran from a broad amalgamation of international agencies among them the United Nations Population Fund ( see corresponding side box).

These demographic trends have also been followed by marked shifts in literacy since the 1979 Revolution. From a literacy level of approximately 20% in 1970, the provision of widespread access to public education has now brought literacy levels to over 70%. Unlike the pre-Revolutionary days, access to university level education is now widely available across Iran including rural areas. The Islamic Azad University, which is responsible for the provision of half of the nation's higher education in Iran, has seen student enrollment rise from less than 2,500 students in 1983 to some 700,000 today, with a concurrent rise in campuses from 9 to 134. Over 450,000 graduates of this University are now active in the workforce. Vocational training has also received considerable attention, including the provision of key computer and technical skills. Foreign language training is widely available and many Iranians are at least partially fluent in a second language.

Nowhere are the results of these demographic and educational trends as apparent as their effect on gender equality. Concurrent with the above mentioned achievements in maternal mortality and literacy, access to higher levels of education have opened new windows of opportunities to women of all segments of society. In 1976, the number of Iranian women aged 15 years and older stood at 9.2 million, of which, 1.2 million or 13.4% were economically active. By 1986, the number of women in this age bracket had increased by 44% to 13.2 million, but the number of economically active women had actually decreased by 49,000. This decline however, is misleading, as upon closer scrutiny, the decrease in the number of economically active women primarily took place in the 15-29 age bracket, whereas the number of economically active women in the age bracket of 30 - 34 had concurrently increased by a whopping 56%. Upon further study, it was shown that the decrease of economically active women in the 15-29 age bracket and the subsequent increase in the 30-34 age bracket was primarily correlated to the increased numbers of women who were pursuing higher education and thus entering the workforce at a later age.

Further analysis of the number of women active in the professional sector confirm these findings, especially when comparing pre-Revolution and post-revolution trends. In 1976, thirteen percent of all economically active females held professional occupations. By 1986, this percentage had risen to 32.8% and by 1991 had further increased to 39.7% . These gains are further bolstered by Iran's institutional framework. The Iranian Constitution particularly provides for the important role of women in all aspects of society and the economy. Women's rights are further bolstered by Iran's Labor Laws and Codes which comply with all international norms pertaining to women's rights in the workplace. As a result, women are active in all fields of the economic and political spectrums. These activities cover a broad range of professions ranging from the legal and medical fields to serving as members of Iran's police forces. Of particular note is the ever increasing presence of women in the political arena. These strides are witnessed not only by a formidable number of female Parliamentarians in the Majlis (Parliament), but also as Mayors, Deputy Ministers and Council Women. These steps have culminated in the first ever appointment of a female Vice President (see side box)

 
 
 

WOMEN IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Iran's First Female Vice President

Iran's first female Vice President, Dr. Masoumeh Ebtekar is one of seven Vice Presidents in President Khatami's Cabinet. A 37 year old University Professor with a Ph.D. in immunology and mother of two, Dr. Ebtekar holds the portfolio of environmental affairs and manages a staff of three thousand personnel at the Environmental Department. In a recent interview, Dr. Ebtekar outlined the background of her rise to one of Iran's highest cabinet positions stating " I think that it was not a superficial decision" and that "Its something based on the natural evolution of thoughts and issues within the Revolution".

Self - Employment Training & Micro-credits for Rural Women.

Iran's Ministry of Construction Jihad (Crusade) is laying the groundwork for the implementation of a broad based program to teach rural women the skills needed for self-employment. It is foreseen that initially some 50,000 women will take part in the program and will be taught skills ranging from needlework to food processing. This program complements a program already under implementation by the Agricultural Bank of Iran (Bank Keshavarzi) for the provision of non-collateral loans to rural women so as to enable them to enter into economic activity.

Iran's First Female Mayor

Mrs. Zahra Sadr-Azam Nouri first gained recognition for her years of social and cultural activities in the lower income regions of Tehran which eventually culminated with her appointment as the Mayor of the Seventh District of Tehran, one of the city's key districts. A Philosophy graduate, ten to twelve hour days are the norm for Mrs. Nouri, with the distinction that any person wishing to have direct access to the Mayor can do so in her office during working hours. Key items on the Mayors agenda include resolving traffic problems in her district and the development of cultural and sports centers.