A/HRC/28/26 two months of detention in solitary confinement, with no contact permitted with his family or a lawyer. Although no indictment had been issued against Mr. Shirzad, on 18 August, he was reportedly verbally informed of his charges, which included association and collusion against national security, propaganda against the system and cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Dr. Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of the Erfan-e-Halgheh (inter-universalism) spiritual group who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence handed down in October 2011 on charges of insulting Islamic sanctities, reportedly faced additional charges and intensified pressure on his family for sending a letter to the Special Rapporteur. Following the publication of the letter in June 2014 in which Dr. Taheri described the abuse committed in prison, the authorities reportedly detained his wife from 2 July 2014, for two weeks, and laid new charges against Dr. Taheri. 20. Mohammad Reza Pourshajari (also known as Siamak Mehr), was reportedly arrested on 30 September 2014 and charged with acts against national security, propaganda against the system, of attempting to leave the country illegally, and contact with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran and with antirevolutionary organizations. He had been released on 23 August after having served a fouryear prison term for propaganda against the State, insulting the Supreme Leader and defamation of Islam. 21. The Secretary-General encourages the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to protect individuals from all act of reprisal, and to investigate and ensure accountability for all cases of intimidation and reprisal. C. Situation of women 22. The Secretary-General welcomes the gains made in higher education and health for women, as well as the efforts to integrate women in the socioeconomic sphere. Some of the positive steps taken include the establishment of a foundation for entrepreneurial development of women and cooperatives to alleviate poverty and female groups that assist female heads of households and provide self-employment loans and grants to women (see A/C.3/69/9, annex). In their comments on the present report, the Iranian authorities pointed out that measures to promote the political and socioeconomic status of women had been taken. They included the appointment of women affairs advisers to all ministries and governmental organizations, the establishment of a women and children’s rights protection centre in the judiciary, the appointment of female advisers to family courts, legislative reforms that promote the status of women and the creation of special funds in the Ministry of Justice for female victims of violence. 23. Despite the above-mentioned achievements, women only account for 16 per cent of the labour force (A/69/356, para. 64). According to the Global Gender Gap Index for 2014 of the World Economic Forum, the Islamic Republic of Iran ranked no. 137 out of 142 countries. Furthermore, men earn 4.8 times more than women (A/69/356, para. 67). With regard to women in ministerial positions, the Index ranked the Islamic Republic of Iran no. 105 out of 142 countries, and there are few women in managerial or decision-making roles (A/69/356, para. 69) – despite the emphasis that article 3 of the Charter of Women’s Rights and Responsibilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran places on the right of women to equal wages, privileges and work conditions. The draft comprehensive population and family excellence plan, reportedly currently being considered by parliament, would further restrict the participation of women in the labour force. Preference for employment opportunities would be given, in order, to men with children, men without children, then lastly to women with children. Furthermore, teaching positions in higher education and research institutions would be reserved for qualified married applicants (A/69/356, para. 70). 7