One of the outcomes of the Iranian encounter with Western thought, beginning in the early 14th/20th century, has been the emergence and active participation of women in scientific, social, cultural, political and artistic fields. Whereas during the Qajar period and earlier, women’s roles were largely confined to domestic responsibilities and family affairs, the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty and the spread of modernist ideologies, alongside the retreat of traditional views, gradually opened new opportunities for women in education, society, the arts, and politics. Women sought to pursue higher education both within Iran and abroad so they could play visible and effective roles in these domains. In doing so, they aimed to resist and even reverse the efforts of traditionalist forces that sought to relegate women to the domestic sphere. They aspired to present new models of the modern Iranian woman to the society. Nayyirah Saʿīdī was among these pioneering women who advanced along the path of modernization and left behind influential and enduring works and contributions to her contemporary society. Through her literary output and social and political engagements, she made women aware of their rights and helped create an environment in which they could recognize and defend those rights against the onslaught of misogynistic ideologies. At the same time, Nayyirah remained committed to certain familial and societal traditions, demonstrating that women could attain high standing in academic, social, artistic, and political spheres while also fulfilling nurturing and supportive roles in the family and bringing those responsibilities to a meaningful and successful end.

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