Iran's attempt to boost population a 'move to limit women's role to raising children at home'

Iran's draft laws discouraging women to use birth control are a restriction of women's sexual and reproductive rights, Amnesty International has warned.

The rights group made the comment as Iran is considering implementing two bills aimed at boosting the country's population. If the bills are signed into law they will, among other things, ban vasectomy and restrict access to contraceptives.

"Iran's authorities are trampling all over the fundamental rights of women – even the marital bed is not out of bounds," Amnesty said in its report.

"The Bill to Increase Fertility Rates and Prevent Population Decline (Bill 446) outlaws voluntary sterilisation, which is believed to be the second most common method of modern contraception in Iran, and blocks access to information about contraception, denying women the opportunity to make informed decisions about having children.

"Lack of access to condoms would also lead to a rise in sexually transmitted infections, including HIV," the report continued. "The Comprehensive Population and Exaltation of Family Bill (Bill 315), which is due to be discussed in Parliament next month, would further entrench gender-based discrimination, particularly against women who choose not to or are unable to marry or have children."

According to NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), which recently published its latest report on the death penalty in Iran, the bills are part of Iran's move towards a more totalitarian behaviour that limits women's freedom.

"Iranian authorities want to control more and more aspects of people's (especially women's) lives," Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, spokesperson for IHR, told IBTimes UK.

"The new suggestion is in line with the Iranian authorities' policy in limiting women's role in the society. Their most important function according to them is to give birth and raise children at home.

"A large portion of people with higher education in Iran are women. They pose a threat to the Iranian authorities which has a misogynous nature," he continued.

"Many talented women who have the possibility have already left Iran for the West, but those who don't have this possibility will be facing an even more hostile environment where they will not be able to develop their potential and follow their dreams."