International Women’s day commemorated on 8 March, is a reminder of the important contributions women make to our society and of the need for greater commitment to achieving full gender equality.
The status of women and girls has improved significantly over the last few decades.
They have achieved higher rates of education and risen to prominent roles in professional and leadership roles.
Despite these positive developments, women are still frequently not treated as equals in their families or society, and violence against them – perpetuated by social norms and religious fanaticism – continues all over the world.
ALSO READ: New thoughts, new ideals, new resolutions for 2019
Bahá’ís view the achievement of equality of men and women as an essential aspect of a broader principle: the oneness of humanity.
In the context of the oneness of humanity, the equality of men and women is not only a requirement of justice towards one half of the world’s population, but it is also a prerequisite for peace and prosperity.
There are no acceptable grounds, biological, social or moral, to justify denying women equality with men.
“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 a woman is given equal opportunity of education, distinction and estimate of inferiority will disappear,” states the Bahá’í Writings.
The well-being of mankind depends on the development of the potential virtues and abilities of every individual.
As women and men complement each other in their roles and functions, the happiness and stability of humanity cannot be assured unless they are both perfected and treated as equals.
The complementary roles of men and women also imply that, if one is defective, the other also cannot attain to perfection.
ALSO READ: New approaches required for gender violence to end
“As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs.”
The achievement of full equality between men and women is essential to individual progress and the transformation of our societies. It is, at the same time, a prerequisite for building a united and peaceful world.
As the governing council of the Bahá’í International Community states: “The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites of peace. … Only as women are welcomed into full partnership (with men) in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge”.
The transition required towards bringing about gender equality requires education and patience with oneself and others, as well as an unshakable determination.
Animated by the spirit and vision of the oneness of the human family, women and men together can create a peaceful, just and prosperous world in which to nurture the generations to come.
For feedback please contact: tshwane@bahai.org.za; or call 083-794-0819.
Websites: www.bahai.org, www.bahai.org.za
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
