TEHRAN – Out of the total number 86,427 Iranian cooperatives only 15%, which totals 13,000 are specialized for women, MNA quoted officials.

The cooperatives which cater specifically for women enjoy a capital of Rls 910 billion and create jobs for 254 Iranian women all over the country mostly in agriculture, industry and the service sectors, and, rarely, in the mining industry.
The Ministry of Cooperatives is duty bound to pave the ground for women’s independence through the creation and promotion of women’s cooperatives, by encouraging and supporting women through the creation of cooperative companies and unions, and providing training opportunities and promoting job skills.
However, women’s cooperatives are generally faced with a lack of specialized and interested members. Furthermore, low levels of education and lack of specialized forces cause cooperatives to be deprived of proper management.
A shortage of women in managerial jobs as decision-makers, lawmakers and policymakers causes women’s problems to be ignored in the legislation process.
In addition, a variety of cultural, social and political reasons have caused women to be unable to hold powerful positions, which in turn reduces their economic power for social activities.
Women’s cooperatives also suffer from a shortage of capital.
Since the number of female university students is increasing and the country faces a large amount of unemployment, the best solution for solving the problem of joblessness is creating women’s cooperatives.
It requires an amendment in governmental jobs as well as creating job security, which is necessary for any job.
Cooperatives specialized for women are cooperatives in which at least 50% of members are women.
MZ/M