Conclusion

Abstract

There is a growing literature on the development of the solidarity economy around the world, but the Middle East is an exception. In the case of Iran, this is unfortunately because of the immense female power embedded in community networks and its potential in providing communal care. In addition, an interesting contribution of this book is that it brings to light how Islamic women and secular women, divided as they are politically so often unable to build solidarity, and in conflict over issues such as the hijab, can and do come together in the solidarity economy. Poverty reduction and community care has the potential to be the most effective way to build feminist solidarity over and above the human rights discourse which tends to dominate Western feminism.