The Role of Women’s Organization in Fars Women’s Public Health and Hygiene (۱۹۶۶-۱۹۷۹)

Hygiene has always been one of the most important concern of human beings. The negligence of this crucial issue is regarded as the source of many diseases affecting the society. In Iran, during the Pahlavi epoch, with the establishment of medical institutions, attempts were made to pay attention to sanitary problems, and issues related to women were no exception. During this period, associations were formed to defend women’s rights, including women’s health issues. One of the most important governmental organizations during the era of Pahlavi II was the Women’s Organization of Iran, which focused on women’s educational, health and legal affairs and established various branches throughout the country, one of which was the Fars Women’s Organization. This study, by employing a descriptive-analytical method, was carried out based on the available documents and library resources to examine the activities of the Fars Women’s Organization in the field of health during the years ۱۹۶۶-۱۹۷۹. Research findings suggest that the Fars Women’s Organization tried to improve the conditions of women by forming commissions and designing programs in the field of women’s health and hygiene. However, owing to the lack of due attention given by the government to the issues related to women and the shortage of funding, the activities of Women’s organization and its commissions failed to go beyond sending some annual reports to the headquarter and hence its activities were confined to some superficial issues, most of which were left unfinished.