I have to say the fervor with which Iranians have been campaigning recently for their country's upcoming elections has been inspiring. Huffington Post states that this kind of passion has not been seen on the streets of Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

While current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in a tight race against "reformist" Mir Hossein Mousavi, it is interesting to see how the two candidates vie for the vote which will ultimately decide the Iranian elections: the women's vote. And it makes sense, considering women compose almost half the electorate.
We have seen this time and time again, most recently in the US elections, women voters determining who will win the presidency. Time and time again we have also seen candidates court their female voters with endless lists of promises of changes that will be made when they come to power. Once they get in power of course it is almost always another story. Almost.

This year, women's issues are on the political agenda apparently "as never before". Mousavi even has his wife, Zhara Rahnavard, one of Iran's top university professors, campaigning with him, not a common companion for Iranian politicians.

However, it seems to me that the women's rights issue dominating the campaign is all about what women wear, or rather what they should be allowed to wear. Though headscarves and "modest dress" is compulsory for women in Iran, young women are testing the limits by shortening their dresses, and showing more hair through their hijab .

While I find it frustrating that even in 2009 a woman's wardrobe is of more pressing concern rather than actual constitutional amendments which would give women more legal rights, such as custody over their children, or the right to refuse their husband taking on a second wife (!!), I am optimistic for the future for women and girls in Iran.

70% of the country's population is under the age of 30. Iranian women have some of the highest literacy rates in the Middle East, and women make up 65% of university students. And those numbers are growing. It is really just a matter of time before this majority breaks through the iron fist with which the Islamic Clergy in Iran rules the country, and demands change .

To paraphrase Obama, never underestimate the power of youth. Or women for that matter :)

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