Iran's holiest city launches its first all-female taxi service
By Behzad Farsian in Qom
(Filed: 11/10/2003)
Iran's holiest city now has a woman-only taxi service, which its founders say is striking a blow for female rights.
There is a very Iranian flavour to the business. In the heat of Qom's midday sun the taxi driver is likely to be dressed in a black cloak from head to toe.
The Nesa taxi service was launched 10 months ago with 10 drivers and became the first all-woman taxi service in Iran. Based in Qom, they carry only women and pre-pubescent boys.
"Women in Qom have less opportunities than in other [Iranian] cities and they had no public role in day-to-day city life," said Nayereh Aghaz, founder of the firm. She argues that the company does more than provide a service, but also promotes the rights of women in Qom.
The process has not been trouble free. Until a month ago, the company was allowed to employ only married women at least 23 years old who wear the Islamic chador, the black flowing robe. "We have been given permission by the local council to employ needy single drivers," said Aghaz, "particularly those who must work."
The company hires women needing financial aid or who must provide a family income. There was some shock among men when the service opened, Aghaz said, but that is changing.
"The men's monopoly in our religious city is beginning to end and they have seen that we are not just housewives," she said. "Now I have men calling us regularly wanting their wives to use our service." Since the opening of Nesa other cities have followed suit.
Unlike some other Islamic countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, women are allowed to drive in Iran.
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