More about equality of women and men

While we agree that women and men are equal, how often does inequality still creep into our interactions? How often do we see men receiving preference over women in decision making often in subtle ways. Especially challenging is that this is so ingrained that men and women may both inadvertently participate in its perpetuation because they may not recognize it. 

Education may be a solution. We can address the root cause by providing more opportunities for women to learn to be more vocal and men to listen more. But what do such opportunities look like?

“Lack of equality between man and woman is, likewise, a cause of human dissension. Bahá'u'lláh has named this as an important factor of discord and separation, for so long as humankind remains unequally divided in right and importance between male and female, no unity can be established. In a perfect human body it is not possible for one organ to be complete and another defective. In the great body of human society it is impossible to establish unity and coordination if one part is considered perfect and the other imperfect. When the perfect functions of both parts are in operation, harmony will prevail. God has created man and woman equal as to faculties. He has made no distinction between them. Woman has not reached the level of man in human accomplishment because of the lack of opportunity and education. If educational opportunities were made equal and similar, the two parts, man and woman, would equalize in attainment. God has intended no difference between them that should be productive of discord. He has endowed all with human faculties, and all are manifestations of His mercy. If we say man and woman differ in creational endowment, it is contrary to divine justice and intention. Both are human. If God has created one perfect and the other defective, He is unjust. But God is just; all are perfect in His intention and creative endowment. To assume imperfection in the creature is to presuppose imperfection in the almighty Creator. The soul that excels in attainment of His attributes and graces is most acceptable before God.”

Excerpt From: Abdu’l-Bahá “The Promulgation of Universal Peace.”