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Information for the Media
Common Misconceptions Regarding Sikhism
Source: The Sikh Network
Women in Sikhism
Truth 2: The tenets of Sikhism
apply to all Sikhs, regardless of whether one is a Sikh
man or a Sikh woman. Sikhism demands the equal treatment
and involvement of men and women.
According to Sikh doctrine, men and women are equal.
It is necessary, here, to make a distinction between the
Sikh religion and Indian/Punjabi culture. In the historical
context surrounding the birth of Sikhism, there was much
discrimination against women. Even today, Sikhs living in
India are surrounded by a patriarchal society that thinks
of women as the property of her family. The Sikh Gurus made
it a point to respect and promote women in the Sikh culture.
Nevertheless, some Sikhs let society's culture override
Sikh culture.
Indian/Punjabi
Culture
Women were not allowed to remarry
Burned alive on husband's funeral pyre
Menstrual cycle thought of as impure |
Sikhism
No restriction
Strictly prohibited
No impurity to menstruation |
The Sikh Gurus not only rejected the Indian/Punjabi culture
biases against women, but they made it a point to elevate
the status of women. Schools for women were opened. Women
were appointed to important leadership positions and missions
in Sikh society. Women took equal part in the fight against
injustice and bravely gave their lives in martyrdom.
The first generation of Sikhs growing up outside of India
often continues to bear witness to this unequal culture
overtaking Sikh philosophy. As children are born and raised
in North America and other western countries, Sikhs will
stop intermixing the culture of India with the philosophy
of Sikhism. Sikh men and women, then, will truly be equal
in doctrine and in practice.
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