Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said, "There is no better tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women."
Studies have proved that women have the same powers as men. For example, research conducted by Professor Adrian Furnham of University College London revealed that women have the same average IQ as men.
"They (women) are willing to lose. When the men in the family are successful they feel successful," the author of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" John Gray has stated in his book.
So it is not a question of ability but a matter of attitude and opportunity that pull women backward.
Today, even in the so-called liberated societies, the woman does not have much of an influential role in decision-making and remains as a tool to implement the male chauvinistic rules that in most cases oppress her. Even within the family, which is considered her main domain, she is not comfortable.
Lack of family values, weak marital ties, promiscuity, immodesty, divorce etc. keep her suffocated inside the house.
Most of the customs and traditions relating to occasions like birth, marriage and death are designed to keep her subjugated.
The numerous superstitious beliefs in even the most modern and advanced societies are detrimental to her progress.
Hence the birth of a female child is considered as a shame or curse, something to be feared and despised. So families have no hesitation in killing them in the womb. That is why it is said that no place is safe for a woman, even the mother's womb.
The question now is whether it is possible within the framework of the religion to allow women to participate in social affairs. The sixth century BC saw the golden era of womanhood.
The Holy Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took the first step in this regard by exalting the position of women.
The pre-Islamic society that used to bury girls alive (Qur'an 6:140) was instructed to treat both girls and boys equally. Bringing up girls was taught as a means to go to Heaven by the Prophet. Being created from a single soul (Qur'an 4:1), she has equal rank with man in worship, in reward and in punishment (Qur'an 3:195 , 4:124 and16:97).
Now let us analyze Islamic history to see if women had an active role in society. The first believer in the Prophet was a woman — Khadeeja. He did not tell her to wait for some men to come first. She was not a passive believer. She proved that a woman is not always someone to be protected but if required she also has the capacity to protect men.
The first martyr in Islam was also a woman — Sumaya. She proved that the faith is more important than one's life and even a woman has the courage to sacrifice herself to safeguard her faith.
The example of Queen Bilquis during the time of Prophet Suleiman (peace be upon him) given by the Qur'an (27: 29 - 37) proves that even in politics women can reach any heights. If it was a bad example the Qur'an wouldn't have mentioned it.
By reciting about 2,020 sayings of the Prophet and clarifying even men's doubts and teaching them, Aysha has shown the heights a woman can reach in education. The 700 other Sahabi women who reported Hadith also proved the same. Not only in religious education but also in fields like astronomy there were women like Aysha Binth Talha. In fact for them everything was part of their religion.
Even in the 19th century, women were not allowed admission in medical colleges in many of the so-called liberated societies. But in the 6th century itself there were women doctors in the Islamic world like Rufaida Al Aslamiya, who were supported by the Prophet.
It is important to bear in mind in this context that a woman has no responsibility to earn for her living in the Islamic society. Still she is not prohibited from working. Isn't this to protect her rights and utilize her skills for society?
For those who say women have no political sense, the Second Aqaba Treaty is a good answer. It is also known as “Baiathunnisa”, due to the participation of Nusaiba Bint Kaab and Asma Bint Amr.
The role of Asma during the Hijrah (migration to Madinah) is an answer to those who believe that women cannot keep political secrets. The 27-year-old pregnant woman's smartness in handling Abu Jahal and her own grandfather proves the strength of the social and political awareness of women in the Islamic society.
Prophets used to consult with Ashifa Bint Abdullah on public matters and value her opinions greatly. Later, Caliph Omar made her the market inspector to ensure transactions were closed properly. The woman who questioned Caliph Omar on the issue of mahr in the mosque proves to what extent a woman's voice could be heard. His positive reaction shows the respect that Muslim leaders had given to women.
The voting rights of women were acknowledged through the act of Abdu Rahman bin Auf, who with the list of six nominees for the next Caliph after Omar went to women and asked for their opinion. Voting rights for women were not acknowledged in Europe and America even in the 19th century.
The examples are innumerous. Wherever women were needed in reforming the society prophets kept them with him. They played an active role in public matters while concentrating on their families and bringing up children like Abdullah Bin Zubair.
Their role in society was a creative one and not as a trophy to show off. What they proved was that in Islam women are neither weak nor frail but the personification of strength and steadfastness.
They have their own identity with clear-cut responsibilities and undeniable rights.
None of the above-mentioned women earned their reputations just because of their husbands, fathers or brothers. They were real feminists. Others, in spite of being great men's wives, were cursed in history like the wives of Nuh and Luth.
The problem now is that our women are not ready to sacrifice the cozy and comfortable life for anything. They are being trapped in the glamorous world depicted by TV shows. They believe that being a woman is rooted in the body, the physical beauty and therefore the fairness of the skin.
Their entire resource is utilized on this quest. Their main aim is to be on display. Even at a time when people are dying around them their main concern and worry is due to a pimple on their face.
So the change should begin from our hearts. As Leo Tolstoy said: "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
This is more clearly illustrated in the Qur'an. "Verily! Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves." (13:11)
