Journal of Iranian Cultural Research

Journal of Iranian Cultural Research

Investigating the contexts of women's agency Formation in single-gender religious gatherings

Document Type : Scientific Research Manuscript

Authors
Mahsa Larijani 1
Afsane Kamali 2
Mersede Modiri 3
1 Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
3 Master’s Degree in Local Development, Department of Social Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
10.22035/jicr.2025.3383.3643
Abstract
Short Urban spaces become successful places when they can be the product of collective actions by people and play a role in shaping them. The concept of the “third space” is an innovative approach that emphasizes space, the formation of social phenomena, diversification of everyday life, interaction with peers, and perception of one’s position, revealing the production of urban space. Women, by participating in religious gatherings, fulfill the need for “being together” in a place where there is a collective consciousness of “fulfilling religious duties” and produce their social communication spaces in conformity with official beliefs and socially defined values. This research employed a qualitative approach using grounded theory methodology. The target population included 11 women who participated as either promoters or attendees of religious gatherings and were purposively selected. The findings show that women are not passive toward urban spaces and continuously create their own meanings. By positioning themselves within a spatial structure compatible with the official value system, they reproduce conventional beliefs and demonstrate their agency through selecting different types of religious gatherings.
Keywords
Women’s agency
third space
religious gatherings
belonging to space
grounded theory

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 06 February 2025
  • Revise Date 09 June 2025
  • Accept Date 12 July 2025