Allameh Tabataba’i University Strategic Recommendations for  Administrative Bodies

Allameh Tabataba’i University Strategic Recommendations for Administrative Bodies

Corona and Social Issues in Iran (Emphasizing Social Policy Considerations)

Author
Department of Social Work, Allameh Tabataba'i University
Abstract
The COVID-19 crisis, by altering socio-living patterns and disrupting the functions of the social system, has provided the context for the emergence and exacerbation of a spectrum of social issues, the severity of which depends more on the quality of governance and crisis management policies than on the virus itself. Corona has operated within the framework of chronic social inequalities and, by widening the gap in access to health facilities, the internet, and virtual education, has led to the reproduction of deprivation and educational injustice. Simultaneously, the increased duration of family members staying together alongside weak communication and conflict-resolution skills has raised the rate of family tensions and calls for support services, creating an additional burden on women and parents. At the economic level, widespread unemployment and incomplete insurance coverage have threatened mental health and heightened the risk of suicide. In the realm of crime, a decline in certain offenses, such as traffic accidents and visits to law enforcement institutions, contrasted with a meaningful increase in theft, economic crimes, and cybercrimes (fraud, hacking, fake charities), while certain harms such as domestic violence, child abuse, and substance and alcohol consumption have exhibited upward trends. Proposed strategies emphasize establishing a comprehensive social security system, strengthening family and child welfare, expanding e-government and educational justice, promoting mental health, increasing information transparency and trust-building, revising cyberspace policies, and utilizing the capacity of civil society, big data production, and interdisciplinary studies for effective interventions during crisis and post-crisis periods.
Keywords