Iran has appointed its first woman ambassador since the 1979 Islamic revolution, naming foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham to head its embassy in Malaysia. Iranian media first said back in April that Afkham was lined up for promotion to the rank of ambassador, but the reports were unconfirmed. After his 2013 election, Iran’s moderate President Hassan Rowhani called on ministers to appoint women to high posts and said his government would stand up against discrimination, naming three women to the country’s 11 vice presidential positions.

Although deemed more liberal than those of many Arab countries, Iran’s laws since the revolution have been criticized as unfair to women in cases of marriage, divorce and inheritance. While women may hold key posts, including in parliament and the cabinet, they can not serve as judges and have not been allowed to run for president.

Did You Know???

• In Persian, the word Iran means “Land of the Aryans”.
• Iran’s capital and largest city, Tehran, has some of the worst air pollution in the world. An estimated 27 people die a day from air pollution-related diseases.
• The official name of Iran is the Islamic Republic of Iran. It became an Islamic republic in 1979 when the monarchy was overthrown and religious clerics assumed political power under supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini.
• Only one river in Iran, the Karun, may be navigated by boat, and then only for short distances.

Try This…

India is helping Iran to develop one of its ports. Name the port.