remain limited by the Civil Code14, the Family Law15, and the Islamic Penal Code16, which contain provisions effectively discriminating against women and fail to protect them adequately from violence.17 For example, Iran’s Civil Code forbids a woman from leaving the matrimonial home without the husband’s permission unless she is able and willing to go to court to prove she is endangered.18 This leaves Iranian women deeply vulnerable to violence, including marital rape (as it is not recognized in the law), or physical harms, and the stipulation that if a woman leaves the marital home, she is not subject to alimony. Moreover, numerous articles of the country’s Civil Code effectively undermine protections for women against domestic violence. Article 1105 of Iran’s Civil Code stipulates, “In relations between husband and wife, the position of the head of the family is the exclusive right of the husband”, undermining women in regards to household decision-making, including financial decisions and receiving “head of household” employment benefits given only to men with families. Article 1108 of the Civil Code states, “If the wife refuses to fulfill the duties of a wife without a legitimate excuse, she will not be entitled to the cost of maintenance (alimony)”, granting absolute power to the husband to demand anything in marital relations. Similarly, Article 1114 of the Civil Code states, “The wife must stay in the dwelling that the husband allots for her unless such a right is reserved to the wife.” To this end, Iran’s laws not only lack the necessary protections against VAW, they also at times exacerbate the vulnerability of women where domestic abuse is plausible. There are provisions in Iranian legislation for investigations on cases of VAW. However, given the misalignment of the definition of “violence” in Iranian law with what is specified in international law, these investigations are in nature inadequate in serving justice. The most common body for the submission of VAW-related complaints in Iran is the police, as these complaints are considered in the category of violent crimes. There is also a social emergency hotline (123) set up in order to receive complaints related to domestic violence. Iran does not publish accurate information regarding instances of violence against women. There is no information made public regarding the rate of complaints being investigated, resulting in the prosecution of the perpetrators. Meanwhile, there are reports that point to a pattern of such cases not being appropriately processed and investigated.19 14 The Civil Code: https://shenasname.ir/laws/6664 The Family Law: https://shenasname.ir/subjects/family/1470 16 The Islamic Penal Code: https://shenasname.ir/subjects/salamat/1571-mojazat92 17 This information is up-to-date and accurate as of early February 2021. For more up to date information on the passage of this bill, please click the following link: http://www.impactiran.org/vawbill 18 Article 1117 of the Civil Code 19 Iran: Victim of domestic and sexual violence, arrested as a child, is executed after unfair trial: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/10/iran-hours-left-to-halt-execution-of-female-juvenile-offender/ 15 3