TEHRAN – Deputy Minister of Culture and Heritage Ali Daravi said on Wednesday that nomadic women play an important role in sustaining Iran’s tribal communities and are a determining factor in achieving social and economic sustainability.
Dharavi, speaking at a national gathering entitled “Developing entrepreneurial skills of nomadic women to take charge of intangible cultural heritage to achieve sustainable livelihoods” held at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, said nomadic women are not only the guardians of language, art and rituals, but also the invisible pillars that support the vitality of nomadic societies, Mehul News Agency reported.
Dharavi cited a 2024 decision by the ministry’s council to approve a project to empower nomadic women in West and Central Asia as part of a broader effort to promote cultural development. He said the project had initiated a series of meetings focused on strengthening the role of local communities, documenting and transmitting traditional knowledge, policy-making and cultural reconnection.
“We believe that sustainable development comes from within cultures and at the heart of living communities,” Dharavi said. “It is time to put indigenous knowledge and climate wisdom at the center of national development and cultural policymaking, alongside modern science.”
He added that the living heritage of nomads should be seen not only as a legacy of the past, but also as a guide to a future that supports progress while promoting harmony with nature.
Mr. Dharavi expressed the hope that the outcome of the gathering will contribute to sharing local success experiences with other Member States.
He also emphasized the need to recognize and support the stability and growth of nomadic communities through women’s empowerment. “By highlighting the skills, occupations and employment of nomadic women, we gain a deeper understanding of their role in sustaining both production systems and family life,” she said.
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