Abstract
This paper is trying to offer a better understanding of relationships between government and nongovernmental organizations in Iran. Although the constitutional law, development plans, development practitioners have paid more attention to the importance of NGOs in the society, but still NGOs are not functioning properly. The 1990s has been quite a decade for increasing the numbers of nongovernmental organizations in Iran. It has affected the relationship between the government and the NGOs. The study on challenges of this relation based on cooperation, co-optation, complementarily and confrontation could indicate the possibility of empowerment and capacity building of the NGOs.
Although various executive and administrative institutions are willing to exercise legal supervision on the organizations but social groups and elites believe that the government does not establish public communities since it would undermine the organization's power. However, it is important to determine an effective relationship between governmental and non-governmental organizations. This article tries to identify those possible damages which can influence an effective relationship between NGO’s and government. As a result of discussion between focused groups and different groups in Tehran and the other cities, this study offers an optimal approach to the relationship. This approach could strengthen cooperation and collaboration between the government and these organizations. If the current relationship continues, it will probably make a restriction for women to solve their problem fundamentally. Moreover, the emphasis of the Constitution and the Development Plans on women's participation would be ignored.
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