پژوهشگاه علوم انسانی ومطالعات فرهنگی جامعه‌پژوهی فرهنگی 2383-0468 17 2 2026 08 23 The performance of women representatives in the Islamic Council of the seventh term (1383-1387) نقش و کارکرد نمایندگان زن در مجلس هفتم شورای اسلامی 267 291 10663 10.30465/scs.2025.52362.3031 FA نورالدّین نعمتی دانشیار گروه تاریخ، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران. 0009-0009-2128-4683 Journal Article 2025 07 09 Introduction Despite negative propaganda, calls for an election boycott by certain political factions, and escalating Western pressure over the nuclear and human rights issues, the Seventh Parliament's elections were held as scheduled. The number of female candidates rose to 827, with 13 ultimately securing seats. This four-year parliamentary term overlapped with the presidencies of reformist Seyed Mohammad Khatami and his successor, principalist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. During this period, the Parliament, operating in a relatively stable political climate, passed significant legislation aimed at improving economic conditions, public livelihood, and national infrastructure development. This study seeks to answer the following question: What was the performance of the female representatives in the Seventh Parliament? The research hypothesis posits that these women, by forming a parliamentary faction and with the support of other members, made effective contributions to improving the conditions for women in society through the proposal, amendment, and ratification of specific laws. Among the works on the Seventh Parliament is the publication, A Record of the Activities of Women Representatives in the Seventh Parliament, issued by the Parliamentary "Cultural Studies Office." One should also note the text assessing the performance of the Center for Women and Family Affairs (concerning women's and family NGOs), published by the same office in November 2013. Material &Methods In addition to these, broader studies have been conducted with the aim of examining the issue of women's political participation throughout Iranian history, each offering valuable insights. Notable examples include the article "Women's Political Participation in Iran" by Ms. Nasrin Mosaffa, and "Factors Limiting Women's Political Participation (An Analysis of the Reasons for the Limited Number of Female Representatives in the Islamic Consultative Assembly from Women's Perspectives)" by Hākem Ghasemi and Fatemeh Ma‘ālī. By utilizing parliamentary minutes, media and press reports, and political-economic analyses, this study presents novel findings that offer a fresh perspective compared to other published works. Discussion & Results The Seventh Parliamentary elections were held in two rounds on 20 February 2004 and 7 May 2004. From an eligible electorate of 46,351,032 citizens, a total of 23,734,677 individuals cast their ballots, resulting in a voter turnout of 51.21%; the lowest participation rate recorded compared to all previous parliamentary terms. This period witnessed a significant rise in female candidacy. The number of women candidates reached 827, representing a tenfold increase compared to the 90 candidates in the First Parliament. Furthermore, the election of 13 women meant they constituted 6.5% of the total parliamentary seats, a figure nearly three times higher than their representation in the first term (Rajabi, 2006: 1). Representatives of the Seventh Parliament No. Name and Surname Electoral District Total Votes (in thousands) Votes for Male Representatives Percentage of Votes Commission Round 1. Fatemeh Ajorlo Karaj 93.402 49.923 53% Education and Research Second 2. Eshrat Shayeq Tabriz, Azarshahr and Osku 168.300 45.058 26.77% Article 90 Committee Second 3. Mehrangiz Morvati Khalkhal and Kowsar 645.60 930.25 75.42% Health and Medical Affairs First 4. Ref‘at Bayat Zanjan and Tarom 1.971.557 34.581 49.89% Health and Medical Affairs Second 5. Soheila Jelodarzadeh Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, and Eslamshahr 1.971.557 307.618 14.75% Cultural Affairs Second 6. Nafiseh Fayyaz-Bakhsh Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, and Eslamshahr 1.971.557 581.925 29.51% Education and Research First 7. Fatemeh Alia Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, and Eslamshahr 1.971.557 527.448 26% Cultural Affairs First 8. Elham Aminzadeh Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, and Eslamshahr 1.971.557 521.782 26.46% National Security and Foreign Policy First 9. Hājer Tahriri Niksafat Rasht 51.239 20.565 40.13% Education and Research Second 10. Nireh Akhavan-Beytarf Isfahan 414.559 585.108 26.19% Judicial and Legal Affairs First 11. Lāleh Eftekhari Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, and Eslamshahr 1.971.557 535.169 26.26% Cultural Affairs First 12. Fatemeh Rahbar Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, and Eslamshahr 1.971.557 517.734 26/26% Cultural Affairs First 13. Effat Shari‘ati Kohbanani Mashhad and Kalat 147.483 73.681 49.95% Cultural Affairs Second Conclusion The elections for the Seventh Parliament were held in two rounds, on 20 February 2004 and 7 May 2004, amid a sensitive domestic and international climate. The voter turnout of 51.2% was lower than in previous terms. Despite this, the successful convening of the elections and the formation of the parliament were of great importance. This period saw a significant increase in the number of female candidates (827), with 13 women being elected, constituting 6.5% of the total representatives. In the Seventh Parliament, 54 bills and proposals pertaining to women, children, and family affairs were reviewed, of which 20 were ratified. Despite their small number, the female representatives played an active role by proposing bills, ratifying legislation, and amending laws. They succeeded in addressing fundamental issues and legal gaps, contributing effectively to improving women's status in society. Key legislative achievements included: · The Therapeutic Abortion Act · Granting citizenship to children of Iranian women married to foreign nationals · Facilitation of marriage procedures · Livelihood support for women and children without guardians · The government's accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child · Amendments to the law on the Promotion of Breastfeeding · The plan for Regulating Fashion and Clothing Although significant distance remained in addressing all social harms and legal gaps related to women and the family, the female representatives in this term enhanced the capacity of parliamentary diplomacy through their active presence in committees and friendship groups. It should be added that the low number of female representatives, as half of society, creates an imbalance in proportional and balanced distribution. To overcome this situation, political parties and groups can reduce barriers by increasing the number of female candidates on electoral lists. Through solidarity among women, the number of female representatives can be increased, leading to the ratification of more effective laws and a reduction in existing obstacles and problems. مشارکت زنان در انتخابات، یکی از مهم‌ترین جلوه‌های مشارکت سیاسی در سطح ملی است و مجلس بر اساس قانون اساسی و تأکید رهبران نظام، از ارکان مؤثر در عرصۀ تصمیم‌گیری و نظارت برای ادارۀ امور کشور است. پس از پیروزی انقلاب اسلامی، شرکت زنان در عرصۀ مختلف انتخابات، ضروری شناخته شد. بر اساس اعلام وزارت کشور، انتخابات در تاریخ‌های 1/12/1382 و 18/2/1383 برگزار شد. در این دوره 827 زن داوطلب بودند که 13 نفر به پارلمان راه یافتند و 54 طرح و لایحه در بارۀ بانوان، کودکان و خانواده مورد بررسی قرار گرفت که 20 مورد تصویب شد. یافته‌های پژوهش بیانگر این است که قوانین مورد بررسی و تصویب، بخشی از خلأ‌های موجود و برخی از مسائل راهبردی و بنیادی را مورد پوشش و توجه قرار داد. روش پژوهش بر مبنای گرداوری داده‌ها از منابع، مآخذ و اسناد تاریخی به شیوۀ تحلیلی است. این پژوهش در پی پاسخ به این سؤال است که عملکرد زنان نماینده در مجلس هفتم چگونه بوده است؟ فرضیۀ پژوهش نیز این است که زنان نماینده در مجلس هفتم با تشکیل فراکسیون و حمایت سایر نمایندگان با ارائۀ طرح، اصلاح و تصویب برخی از قوانین به بهبود شرایط بانوان در جامعه کمک مؤثری کردند.

https://socialstudy.ihcs.ac.ir/article_10663_f1b77376e6da9ea8126410f9331886e8.pdf