Women fleeing Iran: why women leave Iran and seek asylum in Australia

In recent years, increasing numbers of Iranians have arrived by boat in Australia seeking asylum. Differentiating them from many other groups has been a significantly higher proportion travelling as family groups. Based on interviews with 50 Iranian women who arrived in Australia by boat between 2010 and 2013, this article charts the reasons why the status of women in Iran and a range of gender-related practices are informing decisions to undertake irregular migration journeys, including seeking asylum. It suggests that the status of women and gender-related issues are critical to understanding decisions to make irregular migration journeys and are foundational to experiences of persecution and fear of persecution.