TEHRAN, Nov 17, (AFP) -- In a concession to the demands of women wanting to practice sport but without the hindrance of the Islamic dress code, the Iranian capital is to open four women-only parks, the capital's municipality has announced.

Construction of the open spaces is to begin in January 2004, and should be completed by March 2005, managing director of Tehran Parks and Green Spaces Organization Ali Mohammad Mokhtari was quoted as saying in local press reports.

"Enjoying outdoor physical activities is a certain right of all women, most of whom live in small apartments," he stressed, adding that denying women access to recreation could lead to a "spread of physical and psychological disorders".

Each of the four proposed parks will cover an area of more than 10,000 square meters (107,600 square feet), enough space for women to throw off headscarves and bulky coats or cloaks and stay away from the prying eyes of men.