Marriage and its legal issues during the Reza Shah era: Based on the parliamentary debates and enacted laws

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate, Department of History, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of History, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of History, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.

Abstract

This research aims to examine the reflection of women's issues in the laws enacted by the parliament during the Reza Shah era, focusing on the records of the National Consultative Assembly debates of the time. The study seeks to answer the question of which issues related to girls' marriage and their legal rights were discussed and legislated during the sixth to twelfth legislative periods. Addressing this question can play a significant role in uncovering overlooked aspects of parliamentary history and social transformations in Iran's history. The key legislations in this research include the "Marriage Law" and the "Civil Code," which were passed by the National Consultative Assembly and became pivotal milestones in the lives of Iranian women. The findings of this research indicate that these laws laid the groundwork for subsequent laws and developments in marriage. For girls, the minimum marriage age was set at 15, and for boys, at 18. Marriages and divorces were required to be officially registered, and men were mandated to present health certificates. However, due to apparent shortcomings and loopholes, these laws were reviewed and revised in subsequent parliamentary sessions. This article adopts a descriptive-analytical method, relying primarily on the parliamentary debates, which serve as the intellectual and discursive backdrop to the enactment of such laws.

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Historical Findings
Volume 1, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
Winter
March 2025
Pages 48-61

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