Women’s empowerment and social work practice in Iran: understanding and addressing women’s vulnerability

Following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and due to traditional values, social workers who provide support for vulnerable women in Iran must navigate within a system that often limits women’s agency and autonomy. Based on ten semi-structured interviews with experienced Iranian social workers, this article illuminates how women’s vulnerability and empowerment are perceived and how women’s vulnerability is addressed in the empowerment process. The findings offer valuable insights to enhance empowerment practice by reflecting on the impacts of cultural norms and values on women’s empowerment. They contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how social workers in Iran perceive and address vulnerability and empowerment.