Women Study Abroad

In a bid to create more opportunities for women in education, Iranian reformists have voted for a law that will allow unmarried women to study abroad, says Arab World News. The bill still has to go through the Guardian Council in order for it to be fully approved. Reformists feel that, by going abroad, women will have access to scientific education that is unavailable in Iran. On the other hand, those opposing the bill have insisted that allowing unmarried women to travel “without any custodian where there are no restrictions paves the way for the corruption of our girls”. Reformist lawmakers are not optimistic and expect that the matter will have to be taken to the Expediency Council which will act as intermediary. The council is Iran’s leading constitutional body that has to approve all legislation. It is mostly made up of conservative hardliners.