A rare reformist woman standing in Iran's legislative elections on Friday, Afifeh Abedi hopes to bolster women's place in society and add a fresh voice in a parliament dominated by male conservatives.

Women "are very active in society but hold a very small share of the power," said the 44-year-old candidate ahead of a campaign event at a mosque in southern Tehran.

"It's men who make the decisions, even when they concern women."

Abedi said among issues she wants to address is Iran's strict dress code for women which drove mass protests after the September 2022 death in custody of Iranian-Kurd Mahsa Amini, 22.

If elected, Abedi says she plans to "defend the point of view of women who want to wear different outfits".

On Friday voters will choose the members of a new parliament from a list of pre-vetted candidates, as well as the 88-member Assembly of Experts -- a key body that appoints the supreme leader.

Abedi, a political science researcher,........

© Al Monitor