Iran Designs Special Cars For Women

More gender separation in Iran, but this time it's not parks, or the catwalk, but cars. According to a story in "The Guardian" Iran's "biggest motor manufacturer is to take the country's gender sensitivity to new levels by producing a car specially for women." Such a car would:

"be fitted with features common on the international market but seen as female-specific in Iran's male-dominated culture. These include an automatic gearbox, electronic parking aids, a navigation system and a jack designed to make it easier to change a wheel, suggesting that women drivers lack the mechanical competence of their male counterparts. Alarms may also be installed to warn of flat tyres. The vehicle will be painted in soft "feminine" colours and include interior designs tailored to women's tastes. There will also be audiovisual entertainment systems for child passengers."

-- Luke Allnutt