A report of this visit will be published in the next issue of the IPU Journal. We are aware of the destruction of our economies because of these armed conflicts and are concerned about their dramatic negative impact on the most vulnerable groups of the population, particularly women and children. The guidelines stated that budgets were not neutral instruments, that ensuring that budgets were gender-sensitive was the best way to meet the needs and aspirations of the majority of people, and that boys and girls as well as men and women were included in the gender approach to society. Ms Faezeh Hachemi-Rafsanjani is one of 14 women among a total of 270 MP's elected in the new Iranian parliament. The young MP comes from a prominent family of politicians, is a mother and works very actively with the media.
Women can play a very important role and they can have a very strong impact on society.
On issues more specifically related to women, they can play a very important role in amending laws and proposing new legislation which promotes the rights of women, and making sure that the rights of women are respected. In this field, we have been successful. Since the Revolution, for example, our Parliament has adopted 25 amendments in favour of women. There is no legal obstacle. However, if a woman wants to be elected as an MP but she is not known or is not affiliated to any party, it is a little difficult for her to be known by the people.