Zahra Shojaei

Zahra Shojaei (Persian: زهرا شجاعی; 1956 – 26 March 2024) was an Iranian politician. A major advocate of women's rights in Iran, she was the advisor on women's affairs under President Khatami, and as such a member of his cabinet from 1997 to 2005.

Zahra Shojaei
Shojaei in 2021
Head of Center for Women's Participation Affairs
In office 18 October 1997 – 25 September 2005
President	Mohammad Khatami
Preceded by	Shahla Habibi
Succeeded by	Nasrin Soltankhah
Personal details
Born	1956 (1956) Tehran, Iran
Died	26 March 2024 (aged 67)
Alma mater	University of Tehran Al-Zahra University

Center for Women's Participation

In 1997, Khatami created the Center for Women's Participation, which then became the main institution responsible for handling women's affairs in the country, affiliated with the presidency. When Ahmadinejad took the presidency in 2005, he renamed it Center for Women and Family Affairs (Markaz-e Omor-e Zanan va Khanevadeh Riasat-e Jomhuri).

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 in 2005, Nasrin Soltankhah was appointed to Shojaei's post. The center was renamed Center for Women and Family Affairs, as opposed to Center for Women's Participation as it was called under Khatami. Participation was no longer a policy emphasis.

Death

Shojaei died on 26 March 2024, at the age of 67.

External links

• The Position of Women in Iran: Past Achievements and Future Prospects