Parvaneh A. Farid

For the first time in the history of mankind the priority of education has been given to women.

Although Baha’u’llah prescribes identical education for women and men He stipulates that when resources are limited first priority should be given to the education of women and girls.

Abdu’l-Baha explained in 1912:

"The world in the past has been ruled by force, and man has dominated over woman by reason of his more forceful and aggressive qualities both of body and mind. But the balance is already shifting; force is losing its dominance, and mental alertness, intuition, and the spiritual qualities of love and service, in which woman is strong, are gaining ascendancy. Hence the new age will be an age, less masculine and more permeated with the feminine ideals . . . an age in which the masculine and feminine elements of civilization will be more evenly balanced."

Abdul’l-Baha specifically is mentioning the qualities in which women are strong and those are:mental alertness, intuition, love and service. This may call our attention to the spiritual qualities that women have, this time introdueced by Abdu’l-Baha.

In the same quote he explaines: Hence the new age will be an age, less masculine and more permeated with the feminine ideals. And this may call our attention to that what is the duty of women in this era? What is it that we are supposed to do? Abdu’l-Baha explains elsewhere:

"War and its ravages have blighted the world, the education of women will be a mighty step towards its abolition and ending, for she will use her whole influence against war. Woman 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.”

He explains our destiny: "War and its ravages have blighted the world, the education of women will be a mighty step towards its abolition and ending, for she will use her whole influence against war.”

Mmen and women may contemplate on :when will women use their whole influence against war?Is this a promise? Do we have to think about it as women and start now? Do men have a role in this as well?

We may ponder upon this part of the same quote: In truth, she will be the greatest factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration. Assuredly, woman will abolish warfare among mankind.”

And what about men? How can they appreciate the concept of equality between men and women based on the Baha’i writings?

Abdu’l-Baha in Paris Talk mentions:

"As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs."

This is a quote for all man and woman to reflect on. It seems that we are very interconnected and our development is interwoven. Abdu’l-Baha explains that men and women are as two wings of a bird.

The world of humanity has two wings-- one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be.

Here once again there is an emphasis on the interconnectedness of both genders in order to successed and become prosperous.

Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be.

As Baha’u’llah has stated:

Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God."

It is for us to accept the principle of equality and help each other to achieve it. Indeed both men and women are protagonist in this plan, women with reflecting on what Abdu’l-Baha has said about their strong spiritual qualities and the duty He has put on their shoulders “In truth, she will be the greatest factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration and men with acknowledgement of the fact that :

Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be.

(painting by Kimia Ferdowsi)