1.
GTV WOMEN PARADING THROUGH STREETS CARRYING
0.11

2.
SV DITTO WITH PORTRAITS OF THE YOUNG PRINCE
0.18

3.
GTV PARADE HEADED BY LARGE PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN
0.27

4.
LV & CU PRINCESS ASHRAF WITH QUEEN MOTHER ON DAIS
0.36

5.
GV PARADE
0.41

6.
SV DITTO WITH PORTRAITS OF ROYALTY
0.53

7.
SV QUEEN MOTHER AND PRINCESS ASHRAF
0.55

8.
GV PAN.. OVER MASS CROWD IN STADIUM
1.16

9.
LV WOMAN REPRESENTATIVE MAKES SPEECH
1.20



Initials DS/S/AW/PC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE WESTERN WORLD IS A STRUGGLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS WHICH TODAY FINDS ITS PLACE IN THE HISTORY BOOKS. BUT IN SOME COUNTRIES THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN IS ONLY RECENT, AND IN ONE SUCH COUNTRY, IRAN, THE NEW FOUND EQUALITY IN BOTH SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SPHERES IS STILL VERY MUCH A SUBJECT FOR CELEBRATION.

EACH YEAR IN IRAN WOMEN, BOTH YOUNG AND NOT SO YOUNG, MARK THEIR EMANCIPATION FROM THE OLD AND STRICT MOSLEM RULES GOVERNING THE FEMALE ON ESFAND 8, AN IRANIAN MONTH. THE DATE ALSO HONOURS REZA SHAH, FATHER OF THE PRESENT SHAH, WHO DECLARED THE WOMEN OF IRAN FREE.

FOCUS OF THE CELEBRATION FALLS ON THE CAPITAL TEHRAN, WHERE ON FEBRUARY 27, THOUSANDS OF WOMEN MARCHED THROUGH THE STREETS TO THE MOHAMMED REZA SHAH STADIUM FOR A MASS RALLY. AMONG THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE PRINCESS ASHRAF, THE PRESENT SHAH'S TWIN SISTER AND LEADER OF THE IRANIAN WOMEN'S MOVEMENT, AND THE MOTHER OF QUEEN FARAH.

THE WOMEN OF IRAN FEEL THAT THEY HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS. IN THAT TIME THEY HAVE GAINED THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND IN THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION WERE MORE THAN PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR VOTING SIX WOMEN INTO THE IRANIAN PARLIAMENT.