| rdfs:comment | - The role of women in Sikhism is outlined in the Sikh Scriptures, which state that the Sikh woman is to be regarded as equal to the Sikh man. In Sikhism, women are considered to have the same souls as men and an equal right to grow spiritually. They are allowed to lead religious congregations, take part in the Akhand Path (the continuous recitation of the Holy Scriptures), perform Kirtan (congregational singing of hymns), work as a Granthi, and participate in all religious, cultural, social, and secular activities.
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| abstract | - The role of women in Sikhism is outlined in the Sikh Scriptures, which state that the Sikh woman is to be regarded as equal to the Sikh man. In Sikhism, women are considered to have the same souls as men and an equal right to grow spiritually. They are allowed to lead religious congregations, take part in the Akhand Path (the continuous recitation of the Holy Scriptures), perform Kirtan (congregational singing of hymns), work as a Granthi, and participate in all religious, cultural, social, and secular activities. Sikh history has prominently recorded the role of women, portraying them as equal in service, devotion, sacrifice, and bravery to men. Examples of various women's moral dignity, service, and self-sacrifice are a source of inspiration to the Sikhs. According to Sikhism, men and women are two sides of the same coin of the human race, a system of inter-relation and inter-dependence in which man takes birth from a woman, and woman is born of a man. Also, according to Sikhism a man can never feel secure and complete during his life without a woman, and a man's success depends upon the love and support of the woman who shares her life with him, and vice-versa. The founder of Sikhism, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, reportedly said in 1499 that "[it] is a woman who keeps the race going" and that we should not "consider woman cursed and condemned, [when] from woman are born leaders and rulers." Sikhs, therefore, have had an obligation to treat women as equals, and gender discrimination in Sikh society has not been allowed. However, gender equality has been difficult to achieve.
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