3 |
`Abdu'l-Bahá has pointed out that "Among the miracles which distinguish
this sacred dispensation is this, that women have evinced a greater boldness
than men when enlisted in the ranks of the Faith." Shoghi Effendi has further
stated that this "boldness" must, in the course of time, "be more convincingly
demonstrated, and win for the beloved Cause victories more stirring than any it
has as yet achieved." Although obviously the entire Bahá'í world is
committed to encouraging and stimulating the vital rôle of women in the
Bahá'í community as well as in society at large, the Five Year Plan calls
specifically on eighty National Spiritual Assemblies to organize Bahá'í
activities for women. In the course of the current year which has been
designated "International Women's Year" as a world-wide activity of the United
Nations, the Bahá'ís, particularly in these eighty national communities,
should initiate and implement programs which will stimulate and promote the
full and equal participation of women in all aspects of Bahá'í community
life, so that through their accomplishments the friends will demonstrate the
distinction of the Cause of God in this field of human endeavour.
|