Gender Equality And Women’s Equality Day

The status of women in society is diverse worldwide. In major religions of the world women are considered important and equal to men as human. A number of research studies reported that women are generally – but not universally – more religious than men in several ways. Women are often expected to be obedient wives and mothers staying within the family environment and men are expected to be protectors and caretakers of the family. Today’s woman is leading a life which is catering to various domains starting from family to profession to social arenas. She performs multiple roles while being in a single body. But in essence, what is the real role of woman here on earth? Is it to be a successful professional or a prominent leader of a country as we all insist on gender equality? Is it just to get married? Have children? Or just be the creation of God and be the motivating engine and facilitator of life here on Earth. In one sense, equality between men and women is possible and reasonable because they are both human, with similar souls, brains, hearts, lungs, limbs, etc. In another sense, equality between men and women is impossible and an absurdity due to their natural differences in physical, mental, emotional and psychological qualities, inclinations and abilities. Let us read what Allah Almighty Said in His Holy Book, the Noble Quran: Allah Almighty equalizes between men and women; To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills. (The Noble Quran, 42:49). Men and women are equal as human beings in this world and in the Hereafter as expressed in the following Quranic verses : For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise,- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward. (The Noble Quran, 33:35). We have honoured the sons of Adam… (Quran, 17:70). By the ‘sons of Adam’, is meant the offspring of Adam, namely the human race with its men and women. Righteousness determines the value of humans in Allah Almighty’s sight. It is not their gender or race: O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted. (The Noble Quran, 49:13). The Faith of Islam not only permitted the Muslim woman to acquire knowledge, but also commanded her to do so in so far as it would assist her in her life in this world and in the Hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said that the quest for knowledge is the obligation of every Muslim man and woman. The Faith of Islam permits the Muslim woman to hold any post outside her home, provided that she assumes it in a respectable dignified manner that does not in any way subject her to any embarrassing situation that does not observe the teachings of Islam. Her employment must not harm her reputation in any way, nor must it prevent her from carrying out her duties as a wife and a mother. Islam grants the Muslim woman equal civil rights and grants her the right to manage her own business affairs such as participating in legal contracts that deal with the sale or the purchase of any property or goods, in addition to her legal right to grant gifts and to contract a will. Islam also grants her the right to personally manage her wealth and supervise all her financial affairs. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), led men and women together into battle against the enemies. In order to preserve a moral and chaste community, Islam ordains certain rulings and terms and prohibits certain matters. Islam ordains equality between men and women before the law and in all civil rights. This applies to unmarried girls and to married women. The Faith of Islam does not discriminate between men and women except in matters when this discrimination is due to the nature of their sex, for their welfare and for the welfare of the community, the family and in particular for the welfare of women. It is natural for a man to need and find fulfillment with a woman and for a woman with a man, since they are created one from the other and for one another. During the next stage of a woman’s life, namely during her marriage, the Faith of Islam charges the husband with the responsibility of supporting his wife and family and does not charge the wife with any financial responsibilities. Allah Almighty ordered men in the Noble Quran to take care of women and to protect them; Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard. (The Noble Quran 4:34). Allah Almighty also ordered men in the Noble Quran to love and respect their wives; O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good (Quran, 4:19). Islam indicates that a man who honours, respects and deals with women justly and integrally, possesses a healthy and righteous personality, whereas a man who mistreats them is an unrighteous and unrespectable man. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said: The most complete believer is the best in character, and the best of you is the best to his womenfolk. Islam preserves all the Muslim woman’s civil rights which include her right to possess and dispose of her wealth and property without any intervention from her husband.
Western concept of equality advocates equal share in the political and social rights and responsibilities for man and woman. In all the collective activities women should have all the freedom to take part with men. She should have full representation in civil and military jobs. There should be no restriction on any other political activities. Contrary to this, Islam wants to preserve the energies of women for other more important and vital services of society, and deems it unhealthy if women indulge in other activities and forsake the ones which can only be carried out by women. It is obvious from the aforementioned, Islamic rulings that Islam has raised the status of the Muslim woman and has preserved her dignity in her father’s home before marriage, in her own home during her marriage, and even in the event of her divorce. This status has not been attained by any other religion in the past or in the modern world of to day. A women plays multiple roles in life as (a) A Daughter: When she is born, she brings a new meaning to her parent’s life. Many aspirations and dreams make way when the daughter is born in a family. It is quite a popular belief that a daughter cares for her folks more than a son would do. And it is true to an extent. Women are more sensitive and considerate, especially when it comes to bonds and relationships. (b) A Sister: As a sister, a woman gives love and warmth to her brothers and sisters. It goes without saying that certain values and morals are not inherited or adapted, they are inborn traits those come as part and parcel of being a woman. To have a sister, who acts as a friend and a confidant too, is such a delight for any brother. (c) A Friend: It is a scientifically proven fact that a female’s body is equipped with hormones that make her more sensitive and emotional, than a man. This is what makes a woman a better friend. The ability to relate and analyse a situation compassionately make it easier to resolve life, especially when it comes to friends. (d) A Wife: When a man brings home a bride, he is always expecting that he has got a partner for life who is going to make his life happy and joyful. Often, in doing so, many times her own dreams get sacrificed, but that goes without a complaint. (e) A Daughter In Law: With the married life, comes a new role. To be the daughter of a new set of parents. And she takes this one up with the equalled love and compassion. She goes a step ahead and accepts them as her own parents and showers devotion to them; takes care of them in old age and fulfils the voids in their lives. (f) A Mother: When she becomes a mother, she takes a new birth in the form of her own children. Because she starts seeing a new life right from the beginning. She becomes the mentor, the friend, the philosopher and the guide too. (g) A Professional: In today’s times, when education is imperative and a career for a woman is no more a taboo, women are pronouncing their presence in the professional world with enhanced power and enthusiasm. Entrepreneurs, business women, CEOs and high profile professionals, we have a fleet of them around us. (g) A Mother In Law: Then comes a time when she weds off her prized possessions, her children, and becomes a mother in law, welcoming new additions to the family and promising them a home just like the one they bid farewell to. (h) A Grandmother: As she ages, she takes up a new role of becoming a grandparent to the newest of the family, her grandchildren. Moments spent huddled close to our grandma, listening to her stories, while eating the delicious goodies she prepares for us, stays etched in our minds forever. We wish that all women can see that they change the world for the better when they really identify themselves and recognize their singular and special importance to the continuity of the human species. It is not the profession, not marriage, not motherhood, nor any other relationship, but the essence of being a woman, that facilitates the transition of humanity from one level to the other, makes the woman a special being.
Each of us can, and must, play our part in making violent conflict, poverty and gender inequality something of the past
August 26 is celebrated as Women’s Equality Day to mark women’s advancements toward equality with men. The date was chosen to commemorate the day in 1920 when Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the proclamation granting American women the constitutional right to vote. In 1971, following the 1970 nationwide Women’s Strike for Equality, and again in 1973, as the battles over the Equal Rights Amendment continued, Congresswoman Bella Abzug of New York introduced a resolution to designate August 26 as Women’s Equality Day. In 1972, President Richard Nixon issued Proclamation 4147, which designated August 26, 1972 as “Women’s Rights Day” and was the first official proclamation of Women’s Equality Day.On August 16, 1973, Congress approved H.J. Res. 52, which stated that August 26 would be designated as Women’s Equality Day and that “the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation in commemoration of that day in 1920 on which the women in America were first guaranteed the right to vote”. The same day, President Nixon issued Proclamation 4236 for Women’s Equality Day, which began, in part: “The struggle for women’s suffrage, however, was only the first step toward full and equal participation of women in our Nation’s life. In recent years, we have made other giant strides by attacking sex discrimination through our laws and by paving new avenues to equal economic opportunity for women. Today, in virtually every sector of our society, women are making important contributions, and yet, much still remains to be done”. The 2020 International Women’s Day will focus on the theme, Each for Equal; a reminder that we’re all responsible for building a more just and equitable world, and that we all have the power to change things. The theme focus on gender equality, greater awareness of discrimination and a celebration of women’s achievements.At present, women are the worst affected by conflict as modern warfare moves increasingly away from the battlefield and towards the town and village, thus women are becoming the major casualties of war. Husbands and children are killed and homes destroyed. Women are left without support and highly vulnerable to sexual violence. The women’s who lost their men in war become heads of households, thus act as conservers of community, effective peace builders and rebuilders of local economy. We believe that violent conflict can be prevented and peace built. Each of us can, and must, play his/her part in making violent conflict, poverty and gender inequality something of the past. International Women’s Day, offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. This year the events related to women’s day were cancelled to public health concerns related to the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19. It is concluded that Men and women have similar obligations and responsibilities to reform and correct the society to the best of their capability. Men and women shoulder the responsibility of enjoining good and forbidding evil equally, as Allah, the Exalted, states in the Holy Quran: The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends and protectors of one another, they enjoin all that is good, and forbid all that is evil, they offer their prayers perfectly, and give Zakah (Obligatory Charity) and obey Allah and His Messenger
(The authors write regularly on Islamic and developmental issues for “Kashmir Horizon” exclusively. Views are their own)