The gender gap in labor market participation (LFP) in Iran is much wider than in most others country, but it has decreased. Furthermore, the composition of women's employment has shifted toward professional and entrepreneurial positions, particularly in the private sector (Salehi Esfahani 2010). Since labor market conditions in Iran are similar to those in other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, examining the forces behind the above-mentioned patterns will help to develop potential specific policies to address changes in female labor force participation rates. When we look at changes in the female labor force participation rate, we need to analyze the main forces that have led to this change. We also need to examine whether societal norms and ideologies have anything to do with changes in female LPF rates. Iran as a culture is seen as patriarchal and its traditions are based on its religion. Since the Iranian Revolution, Iran has become very tense when it comes to religion. One of the simplest examples is the imposition of the hijab on women and the oppression of their freedom. One study shows that 60 percent of the increase in women's labor force participation rates between 1986 and 2006 was due to declining fertility. of the forces behind the increase in the female activity rate (FLPR). This decline in fertility could be due to the increase in women's education levels, which has led to a notable decrease in the number of babies born. Another factor behind the increase in the female labor force participation rate is said to be the expansion of female education, which is responsible for the continued increase in female labor force participation. While ...... middle of paper ...... market strength and availability of better job opportunities would encourage women to seriously consider working. To this day, ideologies and societal norms remain the most influential factors and major obstacles for women. Works Cited Salehi Esfahani, Hadi and Parastoo Shajari. “Gender, education, family structure and distribution of labor in Iran”. : 2-9. Internet. January 1, 2014. Moghadam, Valentine M. 2005. “Gender and social policy: family law and women's economic citizenship in the Middle East,” International Review of Public Administration, 10.1: 23-44. Karshenas, Massoud. 2001. “Economic Liberalization, Competitiveness, and Women's Employment in the Middle East and North Africa,” in Djavad Salehi-Isfahani (ed.), Labor and Human Capital in the Middle East: Studies in Labor Markets and Behavior households. Reading, UK: Ithaca Press.