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Abstract
In Iran today, more women than men complete a high school and college level education. However, the educational experience of Iranian women has passed through a series of rocky stages. Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1979), women’s higher education has faced many contradictions introduced by the government of Iran at various stages. The data shows that in 2002, approximately 800,000 students were enrolled at various levels in government-run universities, and female students comprised almost half of the entire student population. The total number of students has increased 4.6 times over the past 24 years, which can be explained by two factors: 1) the increase in population, and 2) the need for highly trained and educated people to fill in the demand for new positions requiring knowledge of technology and scientific expertise in addition to traditional jobs. We witness a significant increase in female enrollment and completion rates at every educational level, a reduced gender gap in primary and secondary schooling, and an increase in the rate of university acceptance and enrollment of women. However, as of today, government policies on the banning of the coeducation system, restricting what fields of studies are open to women, gender stereotyping in school textbooks, and emphasizing feminine specializations deemed to be proper and appropriate for Iranian women are on the rise. This study focuses on a general history of Iranian women’s education since the early 20th century and, most importantly, women’s higher education since post revolution Iran today as governmental restrictions are implemented restricting women from certain fields of higher education.