Bahá’u’lláh stated that “All should know. Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God.” – in A Compilation on Women
The equality of women and men is one of the basic tenets of the Bahá’í Faith, and much is said on the subject in the Bahá’í writings. In fact, the Bahá’í Faith is the first major world religion to explicitly identify the equality of women and men as a social principle, and as such its history and teachings on the subject naturally assume significance. The equality of women and men has been progressively championed within the Bahá’í community since its founding 176 years ago.
In public addresses and private conversations across the country, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá made it very clear that in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh men and women are considered equal, stating for example that “The one whose heart is purest, whose life and character are highest and nearest to the divine standard is most worthy and excellent in the sight of God. This is the only true and real distinction, be that one man or woman.
This teaching He considered “peculiar to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, for all other religions have placed man above woman.” However, although ‘Abdu’l-Bahá considered the equality of the sexes a spiritual reality, He recognised that in the social realm there were many inequalities of education and opportunity that held women back from full participation in society. It was this situation that in His travels to the West He called upon America to remedy.
“And among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is the equality of women and men. The world of humanity has two wings – one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be”. – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá , Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
“The purpose, in brief, is this: that if woman be fully educated and granted her rights, she will attain the capacity for wonderful accomplishments and prove herself the equal of man. She is the coadjutor of man, his complement and helpmeet. Both are human; both are endowed with potentialities of intelligence and embody the virtues of humanity. In all human powers and functions they are partners and coequals. At present in spheres of human activity woman does not manifest her natal prerogatives, owing to lack of education and opportunity. Without doubt education will establish her equality with men.” – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace
“The Lord, peerless is He, hath made woman and man to abide with each other in the closest companionship, and to be even as a single soul. They are two helpmates, two intimate friends, who should be concerned about the welfare of each other. If they live thus, they will pass through this world with perfect contentment, bliss, and peace of heart, and become the object of divine grace and favour in the Kingdom of heaven. But if they do other than this, they will live out their lives in great bitterness, longing at every moment for death, and will be shamefaced in the heavenly realm. Strive, then, to abide, heart and soul, with each other as two doves in the nest, for this is to be blessed in both worlds”. – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá , Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
“And let it be known once more that until woman and man recognize and realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not be possible. When all mankind shall receive the same opportunity of education and the equality of men and women be realized, the foundations of war will be utterly destroyed. Without equality this will be impossible because all differences and distinction are conducive to discord and strife. Equality between men and women is conducive to the abolition of warfare for the reason that women will never be willing to sanction it.” – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá , The Promulgation of Universal Peace
