Over 60% of University Applicants Are Women; What Is Their Share of the Economy?

Deputy President for Women and Family Affairs, stressing the role of creative industries in developing the national economy, said that by combining culture, skills, technology, and innovation, creative industries can turn Iran's cultural capital into a dynamic economy and create new employment opportunities for women.

According to the report of Ambassador Arjan Zahra Behroozazer at the "Manvin" event in Isfahan, emphasizing the importance of the creative economy in the policies of the 14th government, he stated: We do not consider the creative economy a marginal economy, but we consider it based on human creativity, modern knowledge, design and intellectual assets and human capital of the country.

Pointing to the necessity of linking Iran's cultural roots with the world's fast-paced developments, he added: Creative economy and creative industries can be a bridge between the country's cultural heritage and the future. A space where culture, skill, technology and innovation come together and turn cultural capital into a dynamic economy and social wealth.

The Vice President for Women and Family Affairs stated that the development of youth employment requires the strengthening of the local economy and economy based on culture, stating that: the role of women cannot be ignored in this direction. Women in traditional arts, handicrafts, weaves and cultural productions are not just labor force, but are the main custodians of historical memory, native knowledge and creativity of this land.

Emphasizing the need to improve the position of women in the chain of creative economy, Behrouz Azar said: In the 14th government, we are trying to provide more equal opportunities for women to participate in this field. Also, we should not see women only as producers; Rather, we should help them gain access to large national and international markets and remove the obstacles to their financing and economic activity.

Increasing financial support for women entrepreneurs

He considered financing and providing guarantees and collaterals needed to receive facilities as one of the biggest structural obstacles to women's entrepreneurship and announced the actions of the 14th government to facilitate this path.

The Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, referring to the cooperation of the Scientific Vice President and the Ministry of Economy in this field, stated: the ceiling of guarantees for women has been increased, and a further increase has been considered for women heads of households in deciles one to five who are not able to provide these guarantees. Also, the capital of the guarantee fund has been increased by one hemat in order to support these groups.

Referring to mandatory employment facilities, Behrouz Azar added: The facilities that are considered as a priority for employment, especially the employment of women, are distributed to 11 groups of women with the coordination of the Vice-Chancellor of Women's Affairs.

creative industries; An opportunity to employ different groups of women

Emphasizing the need to pay attention to the differences of women in terms of demographic conditions, geography, income and education level, he said: housewives, working women, retired women, heads of households and women who are responsible for taking care of the family due to the death of their spouses or divorce, have different conditions and needs. Also, socially disadvantaged women need special attention so that they can return to society and lead a successful life.

Behroozazer considered one of the important features of creative industries to be the creation of diverse paths and opportunities for these groups and stated: This capacity can help increase the economic participation of women and provide an activity field suitable for their conditions.

Referring to the employment status of female university graduates, he said: more than 60% of university applicants are women, but the economic participation of female university graduates is about 35%. Creative industries can provide ways for the greater presence of this group in the economic arena.

The Vice President for Women and Family Affairs also pointed to the economic participation of about 14% of other women's groups and emphasized the capacity of creative industries rooted in the family and said: areas such as food, food and clothing, where part of their art and knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation from mothers to children, have significant opportunities for women's economic activity and efforts should be made to develop these opportunities.

Emphasis on the direct dialogue between the government and the activists of creative industries

In the final part of his speech, Behrouz Azar expressed his hope that the Manvin event, as the first edition of this event, will continue in the coming years and will provide a basis for greater recognition of the diversity of creative industries and an effective dialogue with the activists of this field.

Referring to the presence of the president in the policy meeting and directly listening to the views of the activists in this field, he emphasized the necessity of continuing this approach and said: with the participation of the people, the government and the private sector, the problems and obstacles of the creative industries should be identified and joint solutions should be found to solve them.