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To accept and observe
a distinction which God has not intended in creation is ignorance and
superstition. The fact which is to be considered, however, is that woman,
having formerly been deprived, must now be allowed equal opportunities
with man for education and training. There must be no difference in their
education. Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully
established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is
not possible. Even granted that woman is inferior to man in some degree
of capacity or accomplishment, this or any other distinction would continue
to be productive of discord and trouble.
Gardens at Bahjí, 'Akká, Israel. 
The only remedy is
education, opportunity; for equality means equal qualification. In brief,
the assumption of superiority by man will continue to be depressing to
the ambition of woman, as if her attainment to equality was creationally
impossible; woman's aspiration toward advancement will be checked by it,
and she will gradually become hopeless. On the contrary, we must declare
that her capacity is equal, even greater than man's. This will inspire
her with hope and ambition, and her susceptibilities for advancement will
continually increase. She must not be told and taught that she is weaker
and inferior in capacity and qualification. If a pupil is told that his
intelligence is less than his fellow pupils, it is a very great drawback
and handicap to his progress. He must be encouraged to advance by the
statement, "You are most capable, and if you endeavor, you will attain
the highest degree."
('Abdu'l-Bahá:
Promulgation of Universal Peace,
Pages: 76-77)
    
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PERTH, Australia — Like young teens everywhere, Jani Song often feels social pressure to conform - even when the things that are fashionable may also be harmful.
"When you're in high school, you see the popular, or cool, group and they often take drugs," said Jani, who is 14 and in 10th grade. "You see people drinking or doing other sorts of stuff. And you kind of just want to do it because you want to follow the crowd."
A program established by the Baha'i community here for youths aged 12 to 15 is helping Jani and others like her develop tools to resist such influences and establish their own values.
Some 160 young people, about half of them members of the Baha'i Faith, belong to small groups that follow a specially developed curriculum, part of which involves learning to avoid harmful behavior.
Read the entire story.
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