WOMAN, STATUS OF
In Sikhism, women have equal human, religious and social status. The Sikh concept of equality of gender is not just formal; it is practical and all-inclusive.
Like Sikh males, a Sikh woman can perform religious services of any kind and every type. A woman can perform all the services in a Gurdwara. A Woman can be one of the ‘Punj Piaray’ (those who perform Khanday-di-Pahul (the Sikh initiation ceremony) also.
Sikhism forbids infanticide, Sati, divorce, dowry, purdah (veil) etc. According to Sikhism, women are the mothers of the kings as well as Guru Sahibs; and, no human being can be born without a woman (the mother); hence woman holds very high esteem in Sikhism. This implies that, in Sikhism, woman has been given a higher status as compared to men.
From historical perspective too, the Sikh women have played leading role on several crucial occasions, from battlefield to state administration, from statesmanship to martyrdom, from teaching to missionary activities:
Why (should) they be called bad (inferior) from whom even kings are born. (Guru Granth Sahib, p.473).
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)
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