The bill was approved by the Iranian Government in January 2021.22 However, before it becomes legally binding, the bill must be approved by the Parliament and the Guardian Council. As of early February 2021, the available draft of the law23 suggests that the text may be insufficient to protect women in Iran from discriminations and violence. Even though the draft law may bring positive developments, it will remain limited by the Civil Code,24 the Family Law,25 and the Islamic Penal Code,26 which contain provisions effectively discriminating against women and fail to protect them adequately from violence.27 While the Government of Iran engaged in a number of measures that have positive if relatively limited effects for women’s access to senior management positions in businesses, 28 structural discrimination deeply entrenched in the Iranian legal system ultimately translate to widespread discrimination against women, in all aspects of their lives.29 There are a number of mechanisms where Iranian citizens can report violations of their rights in Iran, including the Parliaments Article 90 Commission,30 or Oversight Bodies for the exercise of Citizenship Rights in the country's provincial courts.31 Yet since gender discrimination is inherent to the Iranian legal framework, there is little opportunity for one’s complaint in that matter to be adequately addressed and properly adjudicated in compliance with due process and international human rights standards. Moreover, there is no independent National Human Rights Institution to receive complaints from children, including girls, in Iran. With regards to illegal acts of violence against women under Iranian law, there is no readily available information that might suggest that complaints are adequately addressed, investigated and adjudicated. The current status of women in Iran, whether in law or practice, in addition to considering reports of the State’s repression of women’s rights defenders, indicate that the Government has not been listening to the voices of women. Recommendation Status: This recommendation has NOT been implemented. 22 New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/world/middleeast/iran-sexual-violence-metoo-women.html https://shenasname.ir/laws/7023 24 https://shenasname.ir/laws/6664 25 https://shenasname.ir/subjects/family/1470 26 https://shenasname.ir/subjects/salamat/1571-mojazat92 27 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 28 www.mehrnews.com/xKVZf; and http://dolat.ir/detail/327527 29 Minority Rights, https://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MRG_CFR_Iran_EN_Sept191.pdf 30 The Article 90 Commission was established to receive the citizens' complaints against government institutions and has the responsibility to review them and transmit cases for judicial procedure accordingly. 31 These committees have the responsibility to oversee the strict implementation of the "Law on Respect for Legitimate Freedoms and Civil Rights”. 23 4