TEHRAN -- The deputy chairperson of the Majlis Women's Caucus, Fatemeh Rake'i, said on Sunday that the bill on Iran joining the United Nations Convention on Discrimination Against Women will be put on the Majlis agenda during the next month.

She added that the generalities of the bill were discussed and approved by the Majlis Cultural Commission last March, but due to some differences further investigations were postponed.

The cabinet announced its approval of Iran joining the convention last December, and the relevant bill was submitted to the Majlis on January 6.

Rake'i, who is also the chairperson of the Majlis Women and Family Committee, added that the committee has examined all the pros and cons of the bill and has prepared practical suggestions on the issue to be submitted to the Majlis.

She stressed that the members of the Majlis Women's Caucus are consulting with experts to eliminate any doubts about Iran joining the UN convention, adding that countries have the right to investigate any international convention and accept or reject it according to their religious and cultural beliefs.

Rake'i also said that by joining the convention Iran would both reduce the international pressure on the Islamic Republic and encourage cultural officials to make efforts to eliminate discrimination against women.

She added that if Iranian representatives became members of the UN Committee on Discrimination Against Women, Iran could inform the world about the considerable social and political progress of Iranian women.

Rake'i stressed that the tenets of Islam require the elimination of all discrimination against women, adding that Western countries may chant slogans in support of women's rights, but there is much discrimination there in practice.