There are more than 3 million women engaged in informal employment in the industry and services sectors in Iran. Some of the most important problems for these women engaged in informal employment include lack of insurance and being exploited by their employers. They compel these women to sign promissory notes and blank checks and give them to their employers.
Despite the spread of the coronavirus in Iran, the regime only advises the public to stay home and avoid any unnecessary contact. However, for women who do not receive regular monthly salaries, New Year bonuses or any subsidies, it is impossible to comply with this instruction. (The state-run ILNA news agency – March 9, 2020)
Most of these women are heads of household and daily wage earners. If they do not work, they would not have any income, and will not be able to cope with the cost of living for themselves and their children.
On the issue of women engaged in informal employment, some experts say informal jobs must have been removed from the job market before this. All forces seeking jobs, including women, must enjoy opportunities to have a decent job. (The state-run ILNA news agency – March 9, 2020)
Women have to leave home to provide for their families.
The number of coronavirus victims in 139 cities in 31 provinces in Iran has exceeded 3,000 people, as of Tuesday evening, March 10, 2020, according to the estimates of the Iranian Resistance.
Mostafa Faghihi from the state-run Entekhab website confessed to high death toll and wrote, “There are 2,000 suspected deaths from the coronavirus. More than 130 people have died in Tehran and 130 in Gilan.”
Ali Nebokht, chairman of the parliamentary Health Committee, pointed to the deterrent and destructive role of the IRGC in preventing the outbreak and said, “Non-medical currents overshadow the Ministry of Health’s plans to prevent and control the coronavirus.”
“I see the Corona issue as more than just a medical issue. It is an economic, political, social, cultural, security and judicial issue… not taken seriously,” he added.
In such circumstances, the situation in the country’s hospitals is worsening due to lack of facilities. Dozens of dedicated and humanitarian doctors and nurses have died of coronavirus during the treatment of patients.
In the meantime, the only aid provided is through the public. Women from a village in Gilan sew gloves at the home of a woman named Sanaz Moradi.
Sanaz Moradi turned her home lounge into a small production site to produce cloth masks. She teaches the women of the village and everyone helps to sew masks. Sanaz Moradi said, “We are the only ones who can save ourselves.”