Zahra Shojaei

Zahra Shojaei, an outspoken advocate of women's rights, was a member of the Iranian cabinet under President Khatami and served from 1997 to 2005.

Center for Women's Participation

In 1997, Khatami created the Center for Women's Participation, which has become the main institution responsible for handling women's affairs in the country and is affiliated with the presidency.

Appointment to Iranian Cabinet

President Khatami appointed Zahra Shojaei as his advisor on women's affairs (a position formerly held by Shahla Habibi) and the head of the Center for Women's Participation. This appointment made her a member of the Iranian Presidential Cabinet. Zahra Shojaei, along with Masoumeh Ebtekar, participated in the first cabinet since the Islamic Revolution to include women.

Transition

With the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 2005, Nasrin Soltankhah was appointed to Shojaei's post which was renamed the Director of Center for Women and Family Participation Affairs.

External links

* [http://www.tharwaproject.com/English/index.php?option=com_keywords&task=view&id=2945&Itemid=0 The Position of Women in Iran: Past Achievements and Future Prospects]