The Equality of Women and Men

"In reality, God has created all mankind, and in the estimation of God there is no distinction as to male and female. The one whose heart is pure is acceptable in His sight, be that one man or woman. God does not inquire, 'Art thou woman or art thou man?' He judges human actions. If these are acceptable in the threshold of the Glorious One, man and woman will be equally recognized and rewarded."

-- Abdu'l-Baha: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p.133

Bahá'í's believe firmly in the equality of men and women. Bahá'í's do not however, blindly state or think that there are no differences between women and men. This may sound contradictory at first, until one realizes that differences exist between all individuals.

The state of equality a person has with others is separate from the ways in which they are different from others. Equality is not achieved by purposely ignoring or feigning being blind to the differences between people. Equality is achieved by giving the same respect and consideration, opportunities, and fair treatment to everyone regardless of their differences. At the same time, just as there are differences between individuals, so too are there factors which make male and female different.

"That men and women differ from one another in certain characteristics and functions is an inescapable fact of nature and makes possible their complementary roles in certain areas of the life of society; but it is significant that Abdu'l-Baha has stated that in this Dispensation the equality of men and women ... has been fully and categorically announced."
-- Kitab-i-Aqdas, page 7

Bahá'í's accept and rejoice in the differences between men and women. These differences however, are not grounds for restriction, repression, or discrimination against women.

Bahá'í's believe that real and lasting peace, fairness, and justice, will not be truely achieved throughout the world until women have the same rights and priviledges as men.

"When woman receives education and full rights to the prerogatives of man, she will refuse to send her sons to the battlefield and she will abolish warfare among mankind."
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá

 Women will abolish war...
"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-Baha: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 175

"He promulgated the adoption of the same course of education for man and woman. Daughters and sons must follow the same curriculum of study, thereby promoting unity of the sexes. 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. Mothers will not give their sons as sacrifices upon the battle-field after twenty years of anxiety and loving devotion in rearing them from infancy, no matter what cause they are called upon to defend. There is no doubt that when women obtain equality of rights war will entirely cease among mankind."
-- Abdu'l-Baha: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 174-175

 Education is the key...
"The principle of the equality between women and men, like the other teachings of the Faith, can be effectively and universally established among the friends when it is pursued in conjunction with all the other aspects of Baha'i life. Change is an evolutionary process requiring patience with one's self and others, loving education and the passage of time as the believers deepen their knowledge of the principles of the Faith, gradually discard long-held traditional attitudes and progressively conform their lives to the unifying teachings of the Cause."
-- From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, July 25, 1984: Women, A Compilation

"...the principle of religion has been revealed by Bahá'ú'llah that woman must be given the privilege of equal education with man and full right to his prerogatives. That is to say, there must be no difference in the education of male and female in order that womankind may develop equal capacity and importance with man in the social and economic equation. Then the world will attain unity and harmony. In past ages humanity has been defective and inefficient because it has been incomplete. War and its ravages have blighted the world; the education of woman will be a mighty step toward its abolition and ending, for she will use her whole influence against war. Woman principly rears the child and educates the youth to maturity. She will refuse to give her sons for sacrifice upon the field of battle. In truth, she will be the greatest factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration. Assuredly, woman will abolish warfare among mankind."
-- Abdu'l-Baha: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 U.S. edition, p. 108

 The Bahá'í Writings refer to Men and Women equally...
  "In general, the laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas (Book of Laws) are stated succinctly. An example of this conciseness can be seen in the fact that many are expressed only as they apply to a man, but it is apparent from the Guardian's writings that, where Baha'u'llah has given a law as between a man and a woman, it applies mutatis mutandis between a woman and a man unless the context makes this impossible. For example, the text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas forbids a man to marry his father's wife, and the Guardian has thus indicated that likewise a woman is forbidden to marry [ her mother's husband ]. This understanding of the implications of the Law [ that it refers to both men and women ] has far-reaching effects in light of the fundamental Baha'i principle of the equality of the sexes, and should be borne in mind when the sacred Text is studied."
-- Kitab-i-Aqdas, page 7