Flora Teckie
November 25 marked the beginning of the ‘16 Days of Activism to eradicate Gender-Based Violence’.
The ‘16 Days of Activism’ is an international campaign, originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute held in 1991. The dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women, and December 10, International Human Rights Day, were chosen as “bookends” of the 16 days, in order to link violence against women and human rights, and to emphasise that gender-based violence is a violation of human rights.
As we commemorate this period it is timely to look at the family, and the requirements for creating violence-free and united families – considering that often the place where women and girls are subjected to violence is within their own homes.
It is the Bahá’í view that, to create violence-free families, we need new skills and approaches and commitment to gender equality, which encourages communication, mutual trust, and respect.
Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, states: “Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God.”
The human soul has no gender, and the social inequities that may have been dictated by the survival requirements of the past cannot be justified at a time when humanity stands at the threshold of maturity.
For the success of efforts to eradicate violence against women, there is a need for commitment to the establishment of equality between men and women in the family, the workplace, and in society.
There is a need to have respect for the dignity and rights of everyone, including one’s spouse and children. Furthermore, there is a need for consciously moving away from using force and violence to impose one’s will and fulfil one’s desires, and instead using cooperation and consultation.
The belief and practice of the principle of the equality of men and women can transform relations within the family, allowing each person to develop his or her unique gifts and talents, and to contribute to the well-being of their families and communities.
The Bahá’í Writings state: “The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed”; “If love and agreement are manifest in a single family, that family will advance, become illumined and spiritual; but if enmity and hatred exist within it, destruction and dispersion are inevitable” and “Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible.”
To achieve equal rights, opportunities, and privileges for women and men in the family and society, there must be a shift in the values, outlook, and conduct of both men and women. Both men and women should take responsibility for the change that will bring about gender equality and help eradicate violence against women and girls.
The Bahá’í International Community states: “Women and girls in territories throughout the world are enmeshed in a culture which enables and sustains violence against them. This affects not only women and girls; such violence is ultimately an act of aggression against society as a whole. It degrades victims, perpetrators, families, and entire communities. As such, the eradication of violence requires not only changes in law and policy but more fundamental changes at the level of culture, attitudes, and beliefs.”
Thus, creating violence-free families requires a commitment to and the observance of moral and spiritual principles – principles that would facilitate the shift in values required to put into practice gender equality and justice for all.
Flora Teckie is a professional architect, a Bahá’í Faith follower, and spiritual columnist