Women in the age of patriarchy:Historical analysis of the social and cultural situation of Iranian women in the Qajar period

The purpose of this article is to study the social and cultural status of Iranian women in the Qajar era (1789-1925). This study has been done by historical method. The findings of this study indicate that Qajar society was a completely patriarchal society. Patriarchy had caused that women do not have equal opportunities with men. Women as a social class were completely dominated by men. In the street, in addition to the women's tent) chādor(, they also had to cover their faces. Therefore, their faces should not have been seen. This type of coverage was mandatory. Women did not have the right to choose their clothing. They were not allowed to talk to men on the street. Urban women were not allowed to work outside the home. They had no independent income. Also, girls did not have the right to education. Schooling was forbidden for girls. While the boys could go to school. As a result, women's cultural and economic capital was very low. By the end of the Qajar period, the literacy rate of Iranian women was less than 3%. These conditions made women lower position than men.