Left-Wing Swedish Politicians Wear Hijab In Iran, Fail To Stand Against Sexist Laws

Is Sweden's feminist agenda working? Not really. The ministers of the “world’s first feminist government” failed to stand up against Iran’s sexist laws and dawned hijabs on their visit to the Islamic Republic.

Eleven women representatives of the 15-member council that was in Tehran to hold talks with the Iranian government, including Sweden’s Trade Minister Ann Linde, walked before the Iranian President Rouhani wearing hijabs.

When the centre-left coalition of Social Democrats and Greens took power in 2014, the country claimed that it has formed the first feminist government in the world. Almost half of Sweden’s cabinet (54 per cent) is female, and the country’s parliament is considered one of the most gender-equal in the world. Three of the five major political parties in the country, all centre-left, are led by female politicians.

The feminist government, after coming to power, had promised to promote “a gender equality perspective” internationally and to adopt a “feminist foreign policy” in which “equality between women and men is a fundamental aim.”

The trade minister’s decision to wear hijabs has been strongly criticised in Sweden. Amine Kakabaveh, from the Swedish Left Party, said: “Iranian women are fighting for their right not to wear the veil”. The politician added that she is “upset and angry” and will raise the issue in Parliament.