Woman governor balances work, home duties

Tehran, May 6, IRNA - Homeyra Rigi is one of Iran’s most successful women. She was among a handful of women governors appointed by President Hassan Rouhani in various provinces, as per a plan to increase women’s political and economic participation. The selection of Rigi as governor of a patriarchal society (Sistan-Baluchestan province) shows a Muslim woman can hold a high-ranking position. Raised in a middle class family, Rigi 42, worked as a physiotherapist in her hometown, besides serving in different provincial administrations as manager and expert in political and social affairs. Years of work in different managerial positions has not prevented Rigi from playing her role as a compassionate mother of three. Like many other working mums in Iran, she has effectively balanced home and work duties to show it is not contradictory. Rigi cooks for her children, takes them to a park and helps them with their homework, while playing the role of a tough woman in society. Making two warring tribes reconcile after 13 years is among Rigi’s achievements as the new governor of Qasr-e Qand, a township 60 kilometers from Zahedan, which is an indication of her capabilities. Rigi is determined to convert Qasr-e Qand into a tourism and agricultural hub, in cooperation with elites and senior local officials. In addition to Rigi, other women were also appointed as governors across Iran, including Masoumeh Parandvar, governor of Hamoun, Marjan Nazqelichi, governor of Torkaman in Golestan province, and Maryam Shadivand, governor of Darreh-Shahr in Ilam. Increasing the participation of women in different arenas was among President Hassan Rouhani’s commitments during his presidential campaign. President Rouhani has always shown his opposition to any gender-based discrimination, including preventing women from rising to managerial positions. end