Sikhism is one of the few religions to describe God as gender neutral. Thus, in Sikhism, women are accorded the same status as their male counterparts. In Sikh ideology, there are no differences between males and females as both are considered to be spouses of the Eternal Lord, Suhagins, as the gender difference perishes with the physical body. (Prahlad Singh, 1999: 74) Through equal rights of amrit (holy nectar) initiation and by declaring them as equal pouses of the Eternal Lord, Sikh women have been relieved of these barriers of gender bias. The first Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, laid the foundation for the equality of women. A notable social reform achieved by him was the emancipation of women. (Pruthi & Sharma, 1995: 1) For him, men and women were equal not only before God but also before one another. He rebutted the practice in the Hindu and Muslim faiths that saw women as lower in position and professed that they have to be on the same platform.

Elevating women to the same platform as men, Sikhism also strived to end the atrocities committed upon them, especially in India. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his successors strongly condemned female infanticide that was rampant in India during that period of time. Hence, gender equality effectively ended female feticide within Sikhism and also saved widows from being ompelled to live a life of deprivation. Similarly, women have the liberty to perform all eligious tasks in the gurdwara (Sikh temple). There is no task or religious function from which women are barred from participating in or attending at any point of their lives. (Anand, 1996: 38)

Even in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, many teachings on the role of women can also be found. There are many other quotes and verses that sing the praises and equal treatment of women. In history as well, there are many women who till this day symbolise bravery, valour and self-sacrifice, values usually associated with their male counterparts. (Prahlad Singh,1999: 75)

Thus, as portrayed in the teachings of its Gurus, its ideology and in its history, women have been given the same status as males in every aspect of Sikhism. Perhaps, the biggest accolade that can be awarded to women is described in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji which shows the clear teachings of gender equality in Sikhism. The verse is as follows:

“Thou O Lord, art my Father and Thou my Mother. Thou art the Giver of peace to my soul and very life.”

This verse shows that in Sikhism, God is both masculine and feminine and that His qualities can be found in both a mother and a father. Sikh women are not subservient to men in any field and are accorded equal status and respect.

Credit : Harsimar Kaur d/o Gurdip Singh