Sikh History

Question 24: What is the status of women in Sikhism?

In Sikhism there's complete equality between sexes. Women can visit a temple, conduct service, lead Sikh armies, vote in elections and claim all rights enjoyed by Sikh men. The Sikh women are not required to observe Parda (veil) or commit Sati (burn on the funeral pyre with the husband). The Sikhs call a wife as Ardhangni (Better half). There is no restriction on their education or movements as long as they follow the Guru's instructions. "Eve" in Sikhism is not regarded as temptation-incarnate but as "the conscience of men." It is on record that Guru Amar Das appointed women as missionaries of the Sikh faith. Guru Tegh Bahadur once remarked that women of Amritsar were nearer to God than men because they accepted "God's will readily" as compared to their counterparts who were "jealous and cunning." In Sikh history the part played by Mai Bhago and others is well-known. They denounced their husbands who had deserted Guru Gobind Singh and formed a women-batallion to make amends for their husbands' folly. They gave a tough fight to the enemy and decimated themselves as a moth on fire.