The Articulation of the Equality and Rights of Women in Bahá’í Discourse and Implementation

Abstract

The origins of the Bahá’í concept of the equality of women and men lie in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá developed it further, first in his correspondence with western Bahá’ís and later during his travels in Europe and North America as he spoke to audiences about the social teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. While he was in London in September 1911, he met with suffragettes, among others. On one occasion he asked one visitor why she thought women should have the vote. Her response included a metaphor of humanity being a bird with two wings, male and female, both of which are required if the bird is to fly. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá incorporated this metaphor into his talks in the West and eventually into his writings and it has become an enduring description of gender equality found in many documents. This essay explores how the concepts of the equality of women and men, the rights of women and the advancement of women have been articulated over time in the talks and writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the works of Shoghi Effendi, the writings of the Universal House of Justice and the statements of the Bahá’í International Community. It also considers how these concepts have been applied and developed by individual Bahá’ís and their families, within the Bahá’í community and in its institutions, and how this experience is being shared in public discourse.