Although the number of active women in political, social, and economic field are increasing, but the family roots are weakening.

However, we can refer to several issues for having a better life from those who have been successful in life.

The following is an excerpt of an interview with Manijeh Mahamedi, theater director who has been working in the art and cultural fields for the past 40 years. Here is her viewpoint about women's status.

Q. How do you evaluate the status of women in the today's world? A. It depends on everyone's education during his/her life. The women face many problems in every society. Every human being has got the right to live freely.

In a male chauvinist society like Iran, even the men are not free. If the men exploit women, it is not because of women's weakness, but it is because they do not know how to treat the women.

If the society could reach a high level of awareness, there would be no difference between men and women. The main point is the lack of self-confidence, especially among the youth.

Everyone who knows him/herself completely will never be wandering.

I never look at the people, men or women, through the borderlines. I cannot understand any difference between men and women.

Q. Have you tried this viewpoint in practice in your life? A. First of all, my husband and I are more like two friends and colleagues than spouse, which is the secret of our prosperity and happiness in common life. Our expectations are based on our knowledge of each other.