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9. Participation of Women
Baha'u'llah teaches that men and women are equal in the sight of God. Both have something to contribute to Bahda’i community life and to the progress of the world. Both must be included in the work of the Faith.
In the past women were not treated as equal with men and did not have the chance to de- velop their abilities. They were thought of as inferior. But today women must be educated and contribute to the progress of society. ‘Abdu’l-Baha says, ‘“‘women must advance and Julfill their mission in all de- partments of life, becoming equal to men.’’?°
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Women and men must enjoy equal rights in the Bahda’i community and in the world. Each one, however, has special talents to contribute.
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Women are called upon to play an important role in commu- nity life by educating the children. Although a father contrib- utes much to his child’s education, a mother is her child’s first teacher. The child’s early education is so important that each woman who plans to be a mother must take great care to prepare herself for this role. Women must be educated physically, mentally, and spiritually to carry out such a great responsibility.
Men and women should both participate fully in Bahai community life. Both vote in elections. Both serve on Local and National Spiritual Assemblies. Both serve on committees. Either a woman or a man can be the chairman or the secretary of the Assembly. The important thing in choosing someone for office is that person’s individual qualifications, not his or her SEX.
Since the beginning of the Baha’i Era, women have played a major role in the growth and spread of the Faith. Many of the courageous teachers who traveled thousands of miles through various countries were women. Women as well as men have been appointed by Shoghi Effendi to serve as Hands of the Cause of God. The National Spiritual Assemblies of the world have many women serving on them. Indeed, women have given great service to the Cause in the past and will continue to do so.
‘Abdu’]-Baha has written that ‘‘Humanity is like a bird with its two wings—the one is male, the other female. Unless both wings are strong . . . the bird cannot fly heavenwards.’’*' Thus every Baha’i community needs the involvement of women, as well as of men, in all its activities.
It is a great adventure and privilege to be a Baha’i and work for the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. When a Baha'i contributes his talents, prayers, love, and support to his Baha’i community, he helps bring about ‘‘a firmly-founded, busy and happy community life.”’?? Bahai communities, Shoghi Effendi says, are the pattern for a future civilization. Thus it is through building Baha’i communities around the world that the true unity of mankind will one day be achieved.
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