adminFlora Teckie
Bahá’í Perspective
International Women’s Day – celebrated annually on March 8 – is a reminder of the important contributions women make towards the development of our families, our communities, and our nation.
The observance of equal rights, opportunities, and privileges for women and men is crucial to the future well-being of the world and its people, and it is a requirement for happiness and contentment in the family, and society.
The Universal House of Justice, the international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith, states that “the equality of men and women is. . . a universal spiritual truth about an aspect of the nature of human beings. . .
“It is, above all, a requirement of justice. This principle is consonant with the highest rectitude of conduct, its application strengthens family life, and it is essential to the regeneration and progress of any nation, the peace of the world, and the advancement of civilisation”.
The progress and empowerment of women is fundamental to the well-being of the whole human family. The well-being of humanity now depends on the development of the potential virtues and abilities of every individual, regardless of gender, race, nationality, class, or religion.
The Bahá’í International Community states: “A flourishing world civilisation will draw on the participation of all people, whose skills and talents should be harmonised with the needs of the greater good”, and that “Women and men are equal, and always have been.
“This is a spiritual truth whose expression in the world has been suppressed throughout most of history. . . the equality of women and men is being increasingly acknowledged, this does not automatically eliminate the impediments that can obstruct its expression in every dimension of life”.
Thus, we must make a greater effort to accord women their rightful status and to remove any barriers hindering their progress in our communities.
According to the Bahá’í Writings, “The happiness of mankind will be realised when women and men coordinate and advance equally, for each is the complement and helpmeet of the other”.
An ethical requirement that should guide all our interactions
The equality of men and women needs to be understood as an essential aspect of an even broader principle: the oneness of humanity.
Properly understood as an aspect of the oneness of humanity, equality of men and women must be embraced not only as a requirement of justice, but also as a prerequisite for peace and prosperity.
The requirement to treat others as we ourselves would wish to be treated, is a basic teaching common to all religions. This is only possible through acceptance of the principle of the oneness of the human family.
It is the Bahá’í view that justice, peace, and order can only be achieved if the principle of the oneness of humanity guides all our interactions, including those between men and women. If women are treated in the light of this ethical standard, we would move beyond some religious and cultural practices that prevent women from having their rightful status in our communities.
Contribution of women to world peace
The empowerment of women, and attaining their rightful and equal status with men, is necessary to both the individual progress and the transformation of society. The emancipation of women is not only necessary for individual and collective well-being: it is also a prerequisite to world peace.
In the Bahá’í view, only when women are welcomed into full partnership with men in all fields, the moral and psychological climate will be created in which peace can emerge, and a just and united world civilisation can develop and flourish.
As stated in the Bahá’í Writings: “when women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world. . . war will cease”, and, “The creation of a peaceful and sustainable world civilisation will be impossible without the full participation of women in every arena of human activity”.
Implementing gender equality will require a shift in values, outlook, and conduct of both men and women, which can ultimately transform the underlying ethos of social institutions, making them more welcoming to women. Education plays an important role in the empowerment of women.
According to the Bahá’í Writings: “men and women are equal in the sight of God. . . The only difference between them now is due to lack of education and training. If woman is given equal opportunity of education, distinction and estimation of inferiority will disappear”.
The responsibility for the change that will bring about equality of men and women rests with both. Men and women together can build more balanced communities in which everyone would enjoy the benefits of justice, prosperity, and peace.
A deep commitment from each one of us to bring about gender equality would go a long way towards humanity’s advancement and establishment of peace on earth.
Online Reporter