Hanan Zare

Institute

University of Tehran (UT, Iran)

Research Cluster

1 - Partnership in development cooperation- Access to development cooperation for marginalized groups

Supervisor

Dr. Mehrdad Arabestani

PhD Project Title

A sociological study of women's role in the social development of urbanizing rural areas

Abstract

Rural exodus has been on the rise in Iran since 1960; due to the current economic situation, migrants have been unable to find adequate housing and have been forced to settle in small towns and rural areas. As a result, settlements have transformed into small towns with rural centers, and small towns have begun to grow into large cities. Thus, in recent years, a new area has emerged that is referred to as “rural-urban,” particularly around metropolitan areas. This new phenomenon has occurred in many industrialized countries, where it serves a specific purpose and facilitates exchange between urban and rural areas. In contrast, in developing countries such as Iran, it generally arises from the excessive expansion of cities and the encroachment of urban areas into rural ones. The Iranian phenomenon of rural-urban areas results from massive migration and encompasses a diverse range of ethnic groups and immigrants, each with its own culture and social traditions. Consequently, their social and cultural issues, including those concerning women and social development, exhibit certain characteristics that differ from those in other parts of the country.

Since women make up half the population in rural and urban areas, gender studies have received significant attention over the past two decades. As a result of the changes in Iran since the Islamic Revolution, women have gained more opportunities to participate in the development process. On the other hand, women in rural-urban areas are unlikely to benefit from this process, and they face significant challenges. According to several studies in this field (see: Sepahi et al., 2015; Gharkhloo et al., 2008; Naghdi et al., 2012; Khani et al., 2017), rural traditions, values, and norms contribute significantly to this situation and have a negative impact on women’s participation in development. These traditions and norms contribute to unemployment, homelessness, a lack of social support, lack of participation in community activities, educational and health problems, early marriage, infertility, and financial difficulties, which represent the greatest challenges for women in these areas. Lack of income and lack of qualifications are all aspects of precarious and incompatible development conditions.

Therefore, the main questions of the study are: First, what is the state of social development in rural and urban areas? Second, what role do women play in areas of social development such as social trust, social participation, and social security? How can a sociological analysis of women’s situation in the realm of social development be approached? Furthermore, in recent decades, quantitative indicators such as the number of girls enrolled in school, the number of women in the workforce, etc., have been used to measure women’s status in relation to development issues. However, according to current approaches to women and development, these indicators are insufficient to assess gender equality. This is because quantitative assessments cannot capture the quality of women’s jobs, family decision-making processes, the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence, or issues related to women’s private lives; examining such topics requires a qualitative approach. Therefore, the use of a qualitative approach is appropriate to uncover previously ignored factors in women’s development in these areas. This study also draws on theoretical perspectives such as gender and development theories, the “women, culture, and development” approach, women’s agency, approaches to gender, law, and development, as well as poverty and empowerment theories, to establish an appropriate conceptual framework.

Educational Background

Work experience

Social/Political Engagement

  • 2016–2022: Active member of the Center for Women’s Studies, University of Tehran
  • 2020: Active member of the UNESCO Chair in Social Health and Development, University of Tehran
  • 2013–2016: Active member of the Institute for Cooperative Research, University of Tehran

Publications