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.

These are words that were uttered by the founder of Sikhism, Sri Guru Nanak Dev in about 1499. So for Sikhs from that period, there has been compulsion to treat women as equals and gender discrimination was not allowed. However, high principles set by prophets and religious leaders have always been very difficult to implement and put into practise. In this respect, equality for women has been a difficult class actually achieve in reality.

The Sikh Women always have been, and always will be, the backbone of the Khalsa Panth. Their selflessness lies second to none in the world. In fact, this quality of theirs has earned them the Godly qualities in their lifetime (due to the extremely important responsibilities placed on them) that their male counterparts may not be able to earn

Guru Nanak worked for the welfare of all to achieve which he strived for equality amongst all. Towards this aim, freeing the female of the overbearing influence of male was of utmost importance. Reading about the lives of some of the women of the Guru period, one realises the extent to which the Gurus were able to achieve their aim.

	Bebe Nanaki		Bibi Nirbhai Kaur
	Bibi Agya Kaur		Bibi Rajni
	Bibi Balbir Kaur		Bibi Shamsher Kaur
	Bibi Dalair Kaur		Bibi Sharan Kaur
	Bibi Deep Kaur		Bibi Shushil Kaur
	Bibi Dharam Kaur		Bibi Viro
	Bibi Harnam Kaur		Mai Kishan Kaur
	Bibi Harsarn Kaur		Mai Bhago
	Bibi Khem Kaur		Mai Kabul Wali
	Bibi Prem Kaur		Mata Khivi
	Bibi Rajinder Kaur		Mata Sullakhni
	Bibi Ranjit Kaur		Mata Sundri
	Bibi Sachan Sach		Mata Tripta
	Bibi Sahib Kaur		Mata Daya Kaur
	Bibi Amro		Mata Gujri
	Bibi Anup Kaur		Mata Jito
	Bibi Baghel Kaur		Mata Suhag Bai
	Bibi Basant Lata		Matho Murrari
	Bibi Bhagbhari		Rani Jindian
	Bibi Bhani		Rani Sada Kaur
	Bibi Kaulan		Women Warriors

In Sikhism, the Holy Scriptures have clearly stated that the Sikh woman has always been regarded as an equal with man and has all the rights and privileges enjoyed by a man. She is considered to have the same soul as man and has equal right to grow spiritually. The Sikh woman is allowed to lead religious congregations, to take part in Akhand Path (the continuous recitation of the Holy Scriptures), to perform Kirtan, to work as Granthi (priest) or a preacher and to participate freely in all religious, cultural, social, political and secular activities.

Sikh woman have played a glorious part in Sikh History and have proven themselves as equal in service, devotion, sacrifice and bravery. Examples of their moral dignity, service and self sacrifice are and will remain a source of inspiration. Women are the backbone of the history of the Sikhs, their culture and tradition yet there is little written about this huge contribution by the Sikh women to the great history of this religion. Man and woman are two sides of the same coin - the human race. Man takes birth from a woman and woman is born of a man. This system is interrelating and inter-dependent. A man can never feel secure and complete in life without a woman. A man’s success depends upon the love and support of the woman who shares her life with him and vice versa.