TEHRAN – The Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 prepared the ground for the great involvement of women in the country’s affairs, President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday.

Addressing a ceremony to commemorate Khadijeh Saqafi, the late wife of the founder of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini, Rouhani said, “The political dimension of a revolution usually overshadows its other dimensions. This is while the revolution that Imam [Khomeini] led was more of a social reform than a political one.”

Some believe that it is contradictory for women to safeguard their faith and religious sanctities and at the same time participate in the betterment of the society, Rouhani said.

However, led by Imam Khomeini, the Islamic Revolution in Iran “opened the gate for the social participation of women,” he stated.

“Was in not for the late Imam, others would not have dared in those days to bring up such an issue.”

“The history of the Iranian nation has always been filled by honor. However, in the decades leading to the Islamic Revolution, some tried to impose some sort of humiliation on the Iranian nation. This was Imam [Khomeini] who gave back [to Iranians] their honor and respect and brought the country freedom and admiration,” he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani said his administration would take necessary measures to alleviate the issue of unemployment among women and would do its best to help prepare the ground for women to move on the path of progress and development.

“Today, the administration deems it as its duty to take the necessary measures to help women take the path of progress and development more easily so that they can be present in different scenes of the society and enjoy equal social opportunities,” Rouhani vowed.

The president also lauded and commemorated Khadijeh Saqafi, the late wife of Imam Khomeini, saying the late Imam accomplished such achievements thanks to the patience and prudence of his wife.

MD/P