Studying Formal and Informal Participation of Women in Tehran City

Social participation has two dimensions: the formal and informal participation. According to this division, this study attempts to find out the extent of formal and informal participation of women in Tehran. In addition, it compares the situation of twenty-two regions of Tehran city together and searches effective factors on formal and informal participation of women. The research uses the survey method and the questionnaire technique for data collection. The statistical population of research includes married women (married, divorced and deceased spouse) who are residents of Tehran. Random sampling method helped to select 406 subjects. Results showed that the level of social participation (formal, informal and social participation generally) is low and informal social participation of women is greater than formal participation. There is a significant direct relation between formal and informal participation. Social participation of women with income and without income have significant differences. Social participation of women in different regions of Tehran is different. There was no significant relationship between age, education of women and their participation.