Gender Equality in Hinduism..

[Susanth]

Guys, what do you guys think is Hinduism's view on Gender Equality?

Or is it, Inequality?

What's your say?

[Priya J]

I think that in the Vedic period, women and men were treated with greater equality than they are now. If you look at our puranas, the stories always depict Shakti in the feminine form. It is said that Hinduism is the only religion that has female deities whom we pray to. Not sure if its true (Any female Gods in Greek mythology?).

A dialogue in Thiruvilaiyadal movie (Divine Play), "Shakti illaiyel Sivan Illai" (meaning, "Without Shakti, there is no Sivan"), and the Ardhanareerwarar form shows the equality that women should be given in comparison to men. Can someone pls explain and elaborate further on why the form was taken and what the form signifies?

Another interesting thing is that in the puranas, the idea of the "better half" is brought in. Puranas show that between a husband and wife, any problems or happiness they face, they have an equal share in both. This is the ideal represented in the purana through stories depicting Shivan and Shakti.

Anything contrary in Hinduism? I feel the equality was definitely displayed in the puranas. However, in real life, the situation is not as such today. Why have we become like this?

~Priya~

[adityab88]

I would like to add to Priya's point that this is the case in many religions in the past. First of all, the Greeks did have female goddesses and they were worshiped regularly also. Moreover, in the past, in many cultures around the world women were treated equally with man. Their importance in being able to give birth to children was a very significant and, in some cases, sacred part of their religions.

So again, we can pose the same question again. Why is it so different today all around the world?

However, on a positive note, you may want to notice also that this is changing. Woman's rights are slowly improving again (with all the feminist movements of the past 50 years).