Iran's Bank Melli opens first women-only financial institution

Tehran - Over the past several years, establishments have catered to women in Iran. For example, one company setup a women-only taxicab service. The country's Bank Melli has now officially opened the first women-only bank in the holy city of Mashhad.

On Monday, Iran’s first women-only financial institution opened, which would allow women to manage their finances without having to deal with unrelated men, something that is prohibited under Sharia law, according to Reuters. One of the country’s largest retail banks, Bank Melli, established the bank in the holy city of Mashhad that would cater to women. However, it has not been confirmed if Bank Melli would create other women-only bank branches across Iran, reports Earth Times. Society, however, does continue to be segregated. Women are forced to sit in the back of the bus in Iran, men are not allowed in public gardens, men and women are separated at public places during festivals or events and there are plans to separate men and women at universities, according to DNA India.