Two powerful coalitions formed by reformists and moderate conservatives are seeking to change the balance of power and undermine Mr Ahmadinejad’s chances of being re-elected in 2009.
Women voters could be crucial in tilting the balance against the president….
Many women say that since Mr Ahmadinejad came to power, institutionalised discrimination against them has increased. Iranian officials reject these allegations, saying the country follows Islamic laws.
But over the past two years the number of women activists has risen sharply as their frustration has intensified.
Women bloggers, journalists and lawyers have led the fight against the stoning to death of women.
Thousands of women students have marched across the country condemning violence against women and demanding equal rights.
Many women have been sent to Evin prison for being part of the international campaign, One Million Signatures Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws.
Leading members of the Stop Stoning Forever campaign were among 33 women arrested in March 2007 while protesting against the trial of five women activists.
Bahareh Hedayat, secretary of the powerful student organisation Office to Foster Unity, says students are demanding “academic freedoms and equal rights be included in candidates’ policies”.
She adds: “Civil society activists have demanded these for long. Now we will make them conditions for our votes.”
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Filed under: international | Tagged: international politics
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