During the late 20th and early 21st centuries in Iran, women's rights have been severely restricted compared with those in most developed nations. The World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Iran 140 out of 144 countries for gender parity. In 2017 in Iran, females comprised just 19% of the paid workforce with seven percent growth since 1990.[1] In 2017, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Index ranked Iran in the bottom tercile of 153 countries.[2] Compared to other South Asian regions, women in Iran have a better access to financial accounts, education, and cellphones.[2]:16 Iran was ranked 116 out of the 153 countries in terms of legal discrimination against women.[2]:16
