Among the principles of Baha’u’llah is one which concerns
the equality of men and women; that men and women are all the progeny of Adam.
For female and the male gender are not particularized to humanity. Gender also
exists in the vegetable and animal kingdoms, but without distinction or
preference. Consider that in the vegetable kingdom there is no preference
whatsoever between male and female; there is complete equality. Likewise in the
animal kingdom, between male and the female there is no preference whatever;
all are beneath the protection of God. Man is the noblest of creatures. Is it
becoming that he should observe such distinction? Unquestionably it is not. The
lack of progress and development by women has been due to the lack of equal
education. If women had been educated equally with men, there is no doubt that
they would be the peers of men, and that the capacities of the men would be
acquired by them. The happiness of mankind will be realized when women advance
equally with men. Then will it be complete.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (From a talk, June 9,
1912’ Baptist Temple, Philadelphia; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 7, July 13,
1914)
