Tehran – The Vice Presidency for Women and Family Affairs has established a special task force on climate change, in coordination with the Department of Environment, according to Zahra Behrouz-Azar, a senior official at the department.

 

Speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural conference of female ministry managers, Behrouz-Azar said the initiative aims to develop joint programs with the Department of Environment, the national authority on climate policy, to address the gendered impacts of climate change.

 

She described climate change and global warming as among the most pressing global and national challenges, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies to mitigate their effects—especially on women in rural and nomadic communities who are active in agriculture and food production.

 

"Women can and should play a key role in efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change across multiple sectors," she noted.

 

Behrouz-Azar stressed the importance of recognizing the diverse roles of Iranian women—including homemakers, female heads of households, rural and nomadic women, and women with disabilities—as vital contributors to the country’s human and intellectual capital.

 

Addressing the government's support for women’s entrepreneurship, she said, “In line with the Seventh Development Plan, we are committed to removing barriers that hinder women’s economic empowerment and business development.”

 

She added that specific measures, including tailored financial support, have been designed to boost the economic resilience of women, particularly female farmers.

 

Behrouz-Azar also highlighted the need to develop and expand markets for handicrafts as a means of promoting women’s income generation. “Creating dedicated spaces for the sale of handmade products is essential,” she said..