Advancement towards the Equality of Women and Men

The advancement of men and women towards equality in a society is a matter of vital importance for the formation of a better community. This is a fundamental truth about human reality and not just a desired condition to be achieved for the good of the society.

Over a century ago, and for the first time in the history of revealed religions, Bahá’u’lláh, Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, proclaimed the equality of man and woman. He did not leave this pronouncement as an ideal or pious hope but wove it, as a basic factor, into the fabric of His social order. He supported it by laws requiring the same standard of education for women as for men, and equality of rights in society.

Equality of the sexes is, for Bahá'ís, a spiritual and moral standard essential for the unification of the planet and the unfoldment of world order. Without the qualities, talents, and skills of both women and men, full economic and social development of the planet becomes impossible.

“The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment. When the two wings . . . become equivalent in strength, enjoying the same prerogatives, the flight of man will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary.” -Bahá’u’lláh

What is needed here is a deep understanding and mutual contribution towards this important principle and our collective endeavors towards the betterment of our society.

“Women and men have been and always will be equal in the sight of God.” -Bahá’u’lláh