Zahra Shojaei
Encyclopedia
Zahra Shojaei is an Iranian politician. An outspoken advocate of women's rights, she was advisor on women's affairs under President Khatami
, and as such a member of his cabinet from 1997-2005.
) and the head of the Center for Women's Participation. This appointment made her a member of the Iranian Presidential Cabinet. Zahra Shojaei, along with Masoumeh Ebtekar
, participated in the first cabinet since the Islamic Revolution
to include women.
was appointed to Shojaei's post. The center was renamed Center for Women and Family Affairs, as opposed to Center for Women's Participation as it was called under Khatami. Participation was no longer a policy emphasis.
Khatami
-Politicians:* Mohammad Khatami , Iranian reformist President, former President of Iran * Mohammad Reza Khatami , Iranian reformist politician, Vice Speaker of Iranian Parliament and brother of Mohammad Khatami...
, and as such a member of his cabinet from 1997-2005.
Center for Women's Participation
In 1997, Khatami created the Center for Women's Participation, which then became the main institution responsible for handling women's affairs in the country, affiliated with the presidency. When Ahmadinejad took the presidency in 2005, he renamed it Center for Women and Family Affairs (Markaz-e Omor-e Zanan va Khanevadeh Riasat-e Jomhuri).Appointment to Iranian Cabinet
President Khatami appointed Zahra Shojaei as his advisor on women's affairs (a position formerly held by Shahla HabibiShahla Habibi
-Presidential Advisor:In 1995 President Rafsanjani appointed Shahla Habibi as Iran's Presidential Advisor on Women's Affairs.-Female Representation of the Iranian Government:Shahla Habibi's position would later become a cabinet position under President Khatami...
) and the head of the Center for Women's Participation. This appointment made her a member of the Iranian Presidential Cabinet. Zahra Shojaei, along with Masoumeh Ebtekar
Masoumeh Ebtekar
Masoumeh Ebtekar is an Iranian scientist, journalist and politician. She is currently the director of Peace and Environment Center in Tehran.Ebtekar first achieved fame as the spokeswoman of the students who had occupied the US Embassy in 1979...
, participated in the first cabinet since the Islamic Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
to include women.
Transition
With the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 2005, Nasrin SoltankhahNasrin Soltankhah
Nasrin Soltankhan is an Iranian politician who presently holds positions in both the local and the executive branch of the Iranian government.-Cabinet position:...
was appointed to Shojaei's post. The center was renamed Center for Women and Family Affairs, as opposed to Center for Women's Participation as it was called under Khatami. Participation was no longer a policy emphasis.