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TEHRAN - Iran plans a female-only island to boost tourism in a northwest province, the Tehran-e Emrouz newspaper says.
It will be on the Urumiyeh lake in Western Azerbaijan province, according to a municipality official.
Under Iran's strict Islamic law, mixing with men in public is forbidden. Strict sex segregation actually protects women rather than restricting their rights, officials argue.
"There will be no men on the Arezou (Wish) island. Public transport, restaurants and other facilities will be staffed only by women."
- REUTERS / AAP