International Women’s Day: Advancing Nanak’s Vision for Gender Equality

Today, March 8th, is the 100th annual International Women’s Day! This year’s theme is “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.” The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, and is the brainchild of Clara Zetkin, a leader in the Social Democratic party in Germany, who fought for a space where women could press for their demands. This day is a celebration of the ability for women and men use our voices to advance gender equality, and the need.

Gender equality has been central to Sikh social, economic, and political life since the time of the Sikh Gurus. Bebe Nanaki was the first Sikh in history to recognize Nanak as her Guru. Under Guru Amar Das Ji women were central to Sikh administrative manji system. The women of Meer Mannus prison endured extreme forms of torture and watched their children slain before their eyes but stood strong against the corrupt and brute governor of Lahore and his compatriot Kaura Mal. Fearless women warriors like Mai Bhag Kaur, Bibi Baghel Kaur, Bibi Daler Kaur stood on the frontlines of the Khalsa fauj to defend the marginalized and oppressed against authoritarian rule. Today we stand with brave Sikh women of the past and present, Mata Khivi Ji, Bibi Amrao Ji, Bibi Bhani Ji, Mata Gujri Ji, Mata Sahib Kaur, and Bibi Harnam Kaur, whose contributions to Sikhism must not fall into the shadows of Sikh religious, social, and political life as it would go against our own doctrine and values.

Please take minute on watch the clip below by three brave Sikh sisters of today willing to uphold the vision of Nanak with strength and courage. Let’s use this day to reflect on what we can do to move this community to the front lines of the Sikh vision for gender equality. #IWD in solidarity.
YouTube Preview Image


bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark
tabs-top


13 Responses to “International Women’s Day: Advancing Nanak’s Vision for Gender Equality”

  1. brooklynwala says:

    happy international women's day! here's a good post up on the sikh activist network site as well: http://sikhactivist.net/?p=2573 , which starts with the well-known Guru Nanak verse:
    "From woman, man is born;
    within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married.
    Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come.
    When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound.
    So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.
    From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all."
    – Guru Nanak, Raag Aasaa Mehal 1, Ang 473

  2. grant says:

    WKWF,
    Happy International Womans Day

  3. NaseebKaur says:

    this day is for all women; nanis, dhadis, mothers, sisters, daughters. we appreciate all that you have done in our homes, gurdwaras and public life for the khalsa panth.

    thank you to all our strong brothers who lead the way in thought and action to make sure women's voices are heard in our gurdwaras, homes, and community forums. we appreciate your support, and want you to stand fearlessly and proud as singhs.

  4. BIk says:

    Good write up but can we stop pretending to be liberal goray and refer to our Guru as Guru Nanak and not just Nanak!

  5. TheKidsBeIgnant says:

    Yeah!!! Let's all organize our lives and thoughts around the paganistic sprinkling of holidays and commemorations of the western world…We can feel good about our religion because it is connected to these politically correct celebrations….kids go to school knowing that sikhi is in line with the western worlds moral compass

  6. HassanHamayun says:

    Internet hosting is usually a difficult issue for someone new at all to learn. Several parts of web web hosting service are discovered and spelled out, as effectively as a variety of hosting.1hosting

  7. HassanHamayun says:

    National immigration lawyers will assist you to deal using various immigration troubles by utilizing the govt agencies. They enable you to with problems in relation to green playing cards, immigration, visas, emigration and also other naturalization troubles.electionlawchannel

  8. HassanHamayun says:

    Eventually in every single individual's life that is known they undoubtedly and at last come all-around to problem their function for active. The basis on this profound problem usually will begin with views centered around- precisely why am My spouse and i here, and our purpose throughout what appears just as one experiential voyage through this specific mystery many of us call lifestyle.yazlawsuitsettlement

  9. HassanHamayun says:

    Legal professional referral solutions are all over the net. This content calls straight into question your efficacy involving such solutions. There are generally three basic varieties of Internet legal professional referral solutions, 1) point out or area bar relationship sites, only two) promoting agency adverts and 3) lawyer-to-lawyer solutions.employmentandlabourlaw

  10. HassanHamayun says:

    When deciding on a divorce legal professional, there are generally many factors to consider, but three crucial factors are generally communication, expertise, and charge. As for you to these factors you will possess your individual priorities, but it is going to pay to take into consideration them complete when you would like a divorce proceedings lawyer.halfpricelawyers