The governor of Kermanshah in East Kurdistan has announced a prohibition on the appointment of women as secretaries in all government and administrative institutions.
Mohammad Taib Sahrai, the Kermanshah Governor, stated that following a meeting of the provincial administrative council, the decision was made to bar women from holding secretary positions in governmental offices, administrations, and organizations.
Effective from its issuance on April 25, 2024, the decision must be adhered to by all cities in the Kermanshah province within a two-week period. Failure to comply will result in legal consequences for the non-conforming entities, as stated by Sahrai.
The announcement coincides with statements made by Hassan Hassanzadeh, Tehran Corps commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, noting the heightened enforcement of the hijab law by police groups known as “ambassadors of mercy” in Iran’s streets and public spaces. Article 638 of the Hijab Law stipulates fines and imprisonment of up to three million Iranian Rials for violations of the hijab requirement in public areas.
The proposed chastity and hijab bill includes travel restrictions for individuals failing to follow the hijab law. Furthermore, government employees could face judicial penalties for non-compliance with the law, which may involve temporary or permanent bans on certain activities.
