Women in Sikhism

The role of women in Sikhism is outlined in the Sikh scriptures, which state that the woman is to be regarded as equal to the 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. As such, Sikhism was among the first major world religions to imply that women were equals to men. "Guru Nanak proclaimed the equality of men and women, and both he and the gurus that succeded him allowed women to take a full part in all the activities of Sikh worship and practice."

Sikh history has recorded the role of women, portraying them as pairs in service, devotion, sacrifice, and bravery to men. Examples of women's moral dignity, service, and self-sacrifice are common in the Sikh tradition.

According to Sikhism, men and women are two sides of the same coin of the human. There is a system of inter-relation and inter-dependence in which man takes birth from a woman, and woman is born of a man´s seed. According to Sikhism a man can not feel secure and complete during his life without a woman, and a man's success is related to the love and support of the woman who shares her life with him, and vice-versa. The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, reportedly said in 1499 that " is a woman who keeps the race going" and that we should not "consider woman cursed and condemned, from woman are born leaders and rulers."

Sikhs 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.