After 40 years, women enter stadium in Iran for the first time

Following the so-called Islamic Revolution in 1979, women suffered a series of restrictions on their rights. And while not officially barred from watching men's soccer games, they were barred at stadiums, and those who insisted could even be detained. Before 1979, however, female attendance at sporting events was common.

Since the Revolution, women have struggled to regain their rights, and although it is a difficult struggle, their efforts have shown progress. This year, women were allowed to enter a football stadium in Iran - for the first time in 4 decades.

The historic event took place at the 2022 World Cup qualifying game at the Azadi Sport Complex stadium in Tehran. More than 3, 500 women bought tickets for the match between Iran and Cambodia. "Women are eager for the ban to finally end, so much so that a large number of them will appear at the gates to buy tickets and protest, " said Human Rights Watch director of global initiatives, Minky Worden.

One wall falls, another grows

Although it was an important step, the government's attitude received much criticism. The fans, to watch the game, should be in a separate section of the men surrounded by large metal plates and with the presence of female police officers - in what critics called the "cage".

“Part of me is happy, but they basically created a wall, ” said Maryam Shojaei, one of the leaders of the stadium opening campaign and sister of Masoud Shojaei, the Iranian team captain. “It was not what we were asking for. It's not like everyone can go and sit freely with their brothers, fathers and husbands, ”she protested.

In addition, no photographer could enter the game to record this historic moment - all who expressed interest were denied their credentials.

Criticism from all sides

The attitude of opening the gates to the female public has been criticized not only by those who advocate the end of prohibition, but especially by those who favor segregation. Some radicals protested that the measure was a "capitulation by pressure from the West."

The game

We can say without a doubt that in these qualifiers the game itself was not the main attraction. After all, it was a dispute between the Iranian Asian force and Cambodia, a team that so far has not shown enough potential to fight seriously for a place in the 2022 World Cup, which will only include 32 teams. The score only confirms the argument: 14-0 for Iran.

However, although it was an easy win for the team; For women, watching that game was an extremely difficult achievement. The female presence at the stadium was, of course, an important step - one that should be regarded as only the first of many. The pressure from FIFA must continue to make this event not only an exception, but to become a common practice, free of prejudice and walls.