In fact, 63% of these candidates were women and 37% were men. Similarly, in the first round of the exam, 1,152,518 candidates registered, with 729,656 women making up about 63% of the candidates. Thus, while the number of candidates in the second round has significantly decreased, the ratio of girls to boys has not changed much, and girls continue to outnumber boys in the exam, as they have for several consecutive years. The ratio remains approximately 67% girls to 32% boys.
Last year, Iranian girls once again outperformed boys in the country's largest academic test, securing over 61% of university seats. The encouraging figure of 61% acceptance for women exactly mirrored the percentage of female registrants for the exam.
Around mid-July last year, an official from the National Organization of Educational Testing announced that 61% of the 1,119,436 registered candidates were women. By mid-October 2023, the head of the same organization reported that 61% of the 482,599 admitted candidates were women. These percentages have been consistent for over a decade, with girls significantly outperforming boys in the exam.
The simple meaning of these statistics is that Iranian girls are determined not to lose their lead in both applying for and being admitted to university. This trend started in the early 1990s and has seen girls gradually increasing their lead over boys in the competitive entrance exam. The myth of "male dominance in entrance exams and universities" has been completely debunked, and girls have transformed universities into platforms for their social role and initiative in an era of female social development in the country.
Today, academia and universities, alongside institutions of politics, economy, management, sports, and arts, have become attractive showcases of the abilities and competencies of Iranian women and girls. A simple tour of this showcase reveals that tomorrow's Iran will not lack qualified individuals for significant national positions. A creative, talented generation is emerging, capable of creating everything from nothing, determinedly and logically advancing through Iran's development path, despite traditional and moral challenges.
Iranian girls have now experienced the joy of overcoming both passive traditionalism and hyperactive feminism. Their recent dominance in higher education is a clear example of this sweet victory. This narrative is not about falling into gender-based analyses or creating reverse stereotypes for girls.
The simple meaning is that Iranian women and girls, amid conflicting extremes of excessive traditionalism and unethical modernism, have become influential and transformative actors, putting Iran's name in various fields. The passionate generation of Iranian girls has found a new path between the valleys of passivity and recklessness to demonstrate their capacity and worth.
The female wave that has dominated higher education in recent years is now spilling over into postgraduate and specialized studies. This vibrant wave will soon impact Iran's job market. With women's current share of the active workforce being around 15 to 20 percent, the educated and specialized female generation will soon significantly change these figures. Therefore, the reversal of the gender pyramid in universities will soon lead to a reversal in the job market. As a result, new dynamics will emerge in Iran's social and managerial structure, debunking many biased and targeted analyses aimed at portraying Iranian society as limited in its growth and development opportunities for women.
It is clear that realizing such a trend requires fundamental legal, regulatory, and political reforms. Correcting the mindset that still holds myths such as "women as the second sex" or "women in a realm of irresponsibility and recklessness" in some layers is crucial for ensuring the presence of passionate and intelligent Iranian girls in high-level political, economic, cultural, and other management roles. Moreover, implementing forward-thinking mechanisms in our governance system is essential for a measured and calm response to such new situations.
It seems that Iranian girls, with the same logical and gradual approach that secured their presence in various social fields, including universities, will also claim a significant share of senior management positions in future Iran.
A future Iran, adorned with more moral virtues, benefiting from better human development indicators, showing more kindness in social relations, possessing more spiritual manners, and overall, being more prosperous and happier. "Future Iran," due to the increased role of noble women in managing affairs, will have a more maternal essence and will not abandon any of its children, even if they are restless, ill-tempered, or aggressive.
The question now is whether the governance system in Iran has prepared itself to entrust a significant portion of senior management roles to women and girls. Can the powerful stream of girls who have consistently dominated universities, the training grounds for future managers, now transition into high-level managerial positions? Is Iranian society, despite all its mental and knowledge transformations, which is still male-dominated at key levels, ready to host a chain of female managers?
It seems that we need to approach this inevitable and definite future creatively and proactively before an explosive confrontation leaves decision-makers stunned and inactive. As the new cabinet is being formed, we must wait and see if the new government understands this situation and can set a new benchmark for assigning senior management positions to women.
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