Identification and Analysis of Social Components Affecting Sexual Harassment of Women in Eastern Golestan Province

Subject Areas : Iranian Sociological Review

Monireh Mousazadeh Ahaghi ¹ , Rahmatollah Amirahmadi ^{2 *} , Reza Yazaloo ³ , Abasali Arab ⁴

1 - Ph.D. Student of Sociology, Azadshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Azadshahr, Iran
2 - Department of Sociology, Azadshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Azadshahr, Iran
3 - Ph.D. in Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Payam-e Noor University, Tehran, Iran
4 - Department of Sociology, Azadshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Azadshahr, Iran

Received: 2025-09-04 Accepted : 2025-11-09 Published : 2025-11-11

Keywords: social components, harassment of women, social analysis, Gonbad region, women’s agency,

Abstract :

The present study aims to identify and analyze the social components affecting sexual harassment of women in eastern Golestan Province, with a focus on the city of Gonbad. Conducted during 2024–2025, the study is based on in-depth interviews with women who have experienced harassment and knowledgeable informants. Findings indicate that sexual harassment of women is influenced by multiple social components, including harassing behaviors and abuse of power, insecurity in urban and family spaces, patriarchal beliefs and inadequate sexual education, as well as inefficiency of supportive institutions. The results also show that women’s actions in response to harassment—such as silence, empowerment, advocacy, and the creation of family and social support—play a significant role in shaping and sustaining this phenomenon. The analysis of social components in this study, emphasizing cultural, familial, and institutional structures, provides a local framework that aligns with both national and international studies and can serve as a basis for preventive and supportive policies at the regional level.

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