Here is my clear and simple definition of gender equality. Gender equality means that males and females on planet earth have equal voice, vote, authority, decision-making power, opportunity, self-governance, and protection under the law. This is intrinsic equality. However, culture and tradition have sought to remove equality by imposing gender roles, limiting functions, and restricting opportunity for females, based on misconceptions about value and ability. This false teaching created the nesting place for the development of male supremacy, slavery, racism, xenophobia, misogyny, bigotry, child abuse, incest, intimate partner abuse, marital rape, totalitarianism, communism, patriarchy, and matriarchy, etc.
This is why the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was passed by the United Nations in 1948. It sought to restore the natural rights of human beings that were being trampled upon. The first three articles of the declaration states: “1) We are all born free. We all have our own thoughts and ideas. We should all be treated in the same way. 2) Don’t Discriminate. These rights belong to everybody, whatever our differences. 3) The Right to Life. We all have the right to life, and to live in freedom and safety.” Ironically, the last article of the declaration, Article 30 states: “No one can take away your human rights.” Isn’t this what some religious leaders and churches have been doing over the centuries—taking away human rights! Read more >>