A Compilation on Women | Page 8

belief of the Orient that it was best for woman to be ignorant. It was considered preferable that she should not know reading or writing in order that she might not be informed of events in the world. Woman was considered to be created for rearing children and attending to the duties of the household. If she pursued educational courses, it was deemed contrary to chastity; hence women were made prisoners of the household. The houses did not even have windows opening upon the outside world. Bah��'u'll��h destroyed these ideas and proclaimed the equality of man and woman. He made woman respected by commanding that all women be educated, that there be no difference in the education of the two sexes and that man and woman share the same rights. In the estimation of God there is no distinction of sex. One whose thought is pure, whose education is superior, whose scientific attainments are greater, whose deeds of philanthropy excel, be that one man or woman, white or colored, is entitled to full rights and recognition; there is no differentiation whatsoever....
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bah�� during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 166) [17]

18: Woman's lack of progress and proficiency has been due to her need of equal...
Woman's lack of progress and proficiency has been due to her need of equal education and opportunity. Had she been allowed this equality, there is no doubt she would be the counterpart of man in ability and capacity. The happiness of mankind will be realized when women and men coordinate and advance equally, for each is the complement and helpmeet of the other.
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bah�� during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 182) [18]

19: He establishes the equality of man and woman. This is peculiar to the...
He establishes the equality of man and woman. This is peculiar to the teachings of Bah��'u'll��h, for all other religions have placed man above woman.
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bah�� during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", p. 455) [19]

20: Women have equal rights with men upon earth; in religion and society they...
Women have equal rights with men upon earth; in religion and society they are a very important element. 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.
("Paris Talks: Addresses given by 'Abdu'l-Bah�� in Paris in 1911-1912", 10th ed. (London: Bah��'�� Publishing Trust, 1979), p. 133) [20]

21: In the world of humanity ... the female sex is treated as though inferior, and...
In the world of humanity ... the female sex is treated as though inferior, and is not allowed equal rights and privileges. This condition is due not to nature, but to education. In the Divine Creation there is no such distinction. Neither sex is superior to the other in the sight of God. Why then should one sex assert the inferiority of the other, withholding just rights and privileges as though God had given His authority for such a course of action? If women received the same educational advantages as those of men, the result would demonstrate the equality of capacity of both for scholarship.
In some respects woman is superior to man. She is more tender-hearted, more receptive, her intuition is more intense.
("Paris Talks: Addresses given by 'Abdu'l-Bah�� in Paris in 1911-1912", p. 161) [21]

22: Divine Justice demands that the rights of both sexes should be equally...
Divine Justice demands that the rights of both sexes should be equally respected since neither is superior to the other in the eyes of Heaven. Dignity before God depends, not on sex, but on purity and luminosity of heart. Human virtues belong equally to all!
("Paris Talks: Addresses given by 'Abdu'l-Bah�� in Paris in 1911-1912", p. 162) [22]

23: In the Dispensation of Bah��'u'll��h, women are advancing side by side with...
In the Dispensation of Bah��'u'll��h, women are advancing side by side with men. There is no area or instance where they will lag behind: they have equal rights with men, and will enter, in the future, into all branches of the administration of society. Such will be their elevation that, in every area of endeavour, they will occupy the highest levels in the human world. Rest thou assured. Look not upon their present state. In future, the world of womankind will shine with lustrous brilliance, for such is the will and purpose of Bah��'u'll��h. At the time of elections the right to vote is the inalienable right of women, and the entrance of women into all human departments is an irrefutable and incontrovertible question. No soul can retard or prevent it.
But there are certain matters, the participation in