Tehran – A new era of empowerment for rural and nomadic women has begun with Article 81 of Iran’s Seventh Development Plan, which for the first time requires the government to support cooperatives run by women in rural and nomadic communities, according to the spokesperson for the Parliament's Agriculture Commission.

 

The measure marks a major step toward strengthening women’s economic participation and revitalizing village economies, Somayeh Rafiei added, speaking at the Ninth National Conference on the International Day of Rural and Nomadic Women and World Food Day, held on Tuesday.

 

“Rural women are the backbone of sustainable rural economies, and their contributions to the growth and progress of villages are undeniable,” she said.

 

Rafiei, who is also an environmentalist, underscored the close link between women and food security. “There is an unbreakable connection between women and food security. Women play a vital role in environmental protection, resilience to crises, and adaptation to climate change,” she noted.

 

The lawmaker praised nomadic women as enduring symbols of strength and perseverance, citing Maryam Bakhtiari—a prominent and courageous Iranian woman who stood firm in defense of her people and values against foreign powers—as an inspiring example.

 

Rafiei also commended the achievements of rural and nomadic women’s microcredit funds, describing their recent performance as “positive and commendable.” She added, “The more these funds are supported, the greater their impact will be in empowering women and advancing sustainable rural development.”