International Women’s Day, on 8th March, is an opportune time to reflect on the current status of women and girls, on the ways and means of empowering them, and on women’s role in creating a peaceful world.
Education, being a basic human right, must be provided for all – for girls and boys, and for women and men. However, “as the new school year begins in many parts of the world, new UNESCO data shows that 244 million children and youth between the ages of 6 and 18 worldwide are still out of school”, the majority of which are girls.
Education and training of everyone, their personality, talents, mental and physical abilities, and spiritual qualities to their fullest potential, is the right of everyone. Education of girls is not only a fundamental human right. It is also in the best interests of society as a whole.
According to the Bahá’í Writing: “… men and women are equal in the sight of God … there is no distinction to be made between them. The only difference between them now is due to lack of education and training. If woman is given equal opportunity of education, distinction and estimate of inferiority will disappear”.
The empowerment of women, and attaining their rightful and equal status with men, is necessary to both the individual progress and to the transformation of society.
The mother is the first educator of the child. In a family, for example, although both parents should share in the overall responsibility of educating their children, the mother is given recognition as their first educator. The spiritual, emotional, and intellectual education of women and girls is, therefore, necessary because a mother cannot pass on what she does not have.
Education and empowerment of women is also crucial for the development and advancement of society. Without the qualities, talents and skills of both women and men, full social and economic development of the planet is impossible.
Research concerning women’s status and gender relations clearly shows the cost to society of the underdevelopment of women. Societies which oppress women have poorer economic, health and social indicators.
The Bahá’í Writings state: “Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible” and that “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”.
The emancipation of women is not only necessary for individual and collective well-being; it is also a prerequisite to world peace. According to the Bahá’í Writings: “when women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world … war will cease”.
For feedback please contact: tshwane@bahai.org.za; or call 083 794 0819
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