Leader Rejects Western View of Women, Highlights Islam’s Distinct Approach

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei criticized the Western and capitalist approach toward women, stressing that such a culture is entirely rejected in Islam.

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سه‌شنبه - ۰۴ اسفند ۲۰۲۵ / 2025 04 December

In remarks at a meeting with thousands of women and girls from different parts of Iran, held in Tehran on December 3, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that Islam affords women dignity, rights, and a constructive role fundamentally different from the West’s degrading view.

The Leader described Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH) as a transcendent human being endowed with the highest moral qualities in all arenas.

Explaining Islam’s perspective on women’s status and rights both within the family and in society, Ayatollah Khamenei outlined the do’s and don’ts regarding how men should treat their wives and women in general.

The Leader said explicitly that “the depraved Western and capitalist culture is completely rejected from Islam’s viewpoint.”

In another part of his remarks, devoted to women’s rights, the Leader identified justice in social and family conduct as women’s foremost right.

Stressing the responsibility of the government and society in fulfilling that right, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that “maintaining security, respect, and dignity” are also fundamental rights of women. The Leader said that unlike Western capitalism, which tramples upon women’s dignity, Islam insists on full respect for women.

Highlighting women’s crucial role in shaping society, Ayatollah Khamenei described the formation of a family as one of the most important responsibilities. He added that, in contrast to the Western culture’s neglect of the family institution, Islam provides defined and reciprocal rights for women, men, and children as foundational elements of the family.

A woman’s greatest need and right within the home is the affection of her husband, the Leader stated, adding that another major right is the prevention of all forms of violence against her. Ayatollah Khamenei stressed complete avoidance of deviations common in the West, such as the killing or beating of women by husbands or men.

Contrasting the capitalist and Islamic views of women, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that in Islam, women possess independence, capability, identity, and opportunities for progress.

In capitalist culture, however, women are expected to obey and dissolve their identity into that of men, and their honor and dignity are disregarded, the Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that capitalism treats women as material instruments for lust and pleasure, pointing to recent scandals involving criminal networks in the United States as an outcome of such attitudes.

The Leader also referred to the West’s insistence on exporting its “false culture” to the world. According to his remarks, Western governments claim that restrictions such as hijab hinder women’s progress, but the Islamic Republic of Iran has invalidated this argument and proven that a Muslim woman committed to Islamic dress can excel in all fields —“even beyond others.”

Issuing an important recommendation, the Leader warned domestic media against promoting the Western capitalist mindset regarding women. Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that when discussing issues such as hijab, women’s attire, or cooperation between men and women, Iranian media must not repeat or amplify Western rhetoric.

Instead, the Leader emphasized, media should present and highlight Islam’s profound and effective perspective both domestically and internationally. This, the Leader said, is the best way to promote Islam and will draw many people --especially women-- around the world toward it.