associations, promoted and distributed contraceptives. made in the major cities, where shortages and failure toDevices and techniques such as the IUD, tuba1 ligationmeet basic needs could have severe consequences.and vasectomy were introduced but, given the overall lack Pressure from more enlightened segments of the reli-of resources, the pill became by default the contraceptivegious and political leadership resulted in an explicit pro-of choice.nouncement that the use of pills and other contraceptivesThere was already considerable demand, particularly which would temporarily stop the creation of a fetus wasamong urban middle income groups dissatisfied with tra-not
haram
(prohibited).The announcement, justified inditional methods. Though there was little effort to extendtheological terms, paved the way for the reformulationfamily planning to the rural population, nationally an esti-of population policies over the next few years. By 1988,mated
11
percent ofwomen of child-bearingage used somethe question of over-population and its danger, on theform of contraceptive.2national and international scale, had found its way intoDespite considerable improvement in the GNP and perthe political speeches of various leaders. After Ayatollahcapita income, infant mortality remained
T
Khamene'i discussed the necessity ofvery high due to the inequitable distrib-introducing family planning in a Fridayution of public services. But several
he government en-
sermon, the government issued achanges were introduced to improvenational birth control policy, whichwomen's status both within the family
gender
Ayatollah Khomeini ratified shortlyand in the public arena, including efforts
that do not correspond
before his death in 1989. A Board ofto include women in the labor market.Family Planning, directly under the con-The legal age of marriage for women was
with
those
Of
Islam-
trol of the Minister of Health, startedincreased to 18,and in 1975marriage and
iSt women who vie
its activities at once.divorce law was reformed to limit men'sThe population policy of the Islamicarbitrary right to divorce and to enter into
much of what is pre-
Republic differs from the pre-revolutionpolygamous marriages.. Although imple-
Sented
as
patriarchy in
program in many important ways. Thementation was problematic, the symbol-Islamic Republic has achieved consid-ic value of these moves was considerable,
'~sh'?'LiCnOStUme.
erable success in convincing the popu-and conveyed to women and to the gen-lation to accept and practice family plan-era1public that women's rights were officially recognized.ning through a powerful consensus-building campaign andWith the establishment ofthe Islamic regime, the fam-by establishing an effective network to provide afford-ily planning program fell into disarray. The new regimeable and reliable contraceptive means.did not formulate an explicit population policy. Many con-servative leaders continued to insist that contraceptive
Building National Consensus
devices had been developed by Western powers in order tosubjugate oppressed nations and to limit the number ofThe most outstanding innovation in the Islamic Republic'sMuslims. The government officially encouragedearly andfamily planning policy has been the way in which theuniversal marriage, and further lowered the minimumgovernment has tried to raise general knowledgeand under-marriage age. Contraceptives became difficult to obtain,standing of population questions rather than limit its focusas the stock of modern devices, primarily imported, wasto promoting contraceptives. Political and religious lead-soon depleted. The side-effects of contraceptive pills anders frequently address the importance of family planningIUDs on women's health became a popular subject of dis-in nationally televised speeches, and particularly in Fridaycussion, particularly in women's religious gatheringssermons which publicly define the government's political
(sofreh)
where issues of marriage and family are tradi-and ideological lines.5 The government has also support-tionally discussed.4 Iran's fertility level, not surprising-ed research and publication on the question of popula-ly, increased immediately after the revolution.tion and Islamic family planning, including a compila-A 1986 national survey estimated Iran's population attion of medieval writings which demonstrate that familyover
50
million, and had a sobering impact on the more planning has been a concern of Islamic societies long beforeastute members ofthe government. The high birthrate andit was a Western interest.increase in population, together with the depressed econ-A number of broad and overlapping themes haveomy and massive migration from the war zones to Tehranemerged.6 First, the talks raise the question of whetherand other major cities, placed considerable demands onthe world can continue to support an ever-increasing pop-the government. The government of the oppressed, as itulation, using concrete examples drawn from China, theportrayed itself, had committed itseif ideologicallyand con-Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other devel-stitutionally to the provision of basic amenities and equal oping nations. Another technique examines, in simple andopportunity in order to move toward a just Islamic society. accessible language, the consequences of increased popu-The leadership was also conscious that Iranian politics is lation for domestic food production and dependency, andeducation and health care costs. By contrast, Western coun-
Homa Hoodfar
teaches anthropology at Concordia Uniuerszty in Montreal.This text is adapted from a paper prepared for the Population Control
tries,
with
their
low
rates
of
growth
and much
bal-
conference on Fonily, Gender and Population Pol~cyn Cairo, February
1994.
anced population pyramids, can provide education and
12
Middle East Report September-October 1994
Leave a Comment