THIS QUESTION may sound shocking because no one had ever said that Adam beat Eve. On the other hand, the Bible says: The man said, This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken (Gen 2:23). It is obvious from this quotation that Adam had been eagerly waiting for his helpmate. Prior to the creation of woman, God had said, It is not good that the man should be alone.

Keeping this biblical account of the creation of man in mind, when we think of the present hullabaloo about gender equality and empowerment of women, reservation of seats in legislative bodies, and present-day feminism, it would appear as if women have been placed at a disadvantage simply for being women, and that there is an urgent need to set things right by passing special laws to ensure gender equality.

The basic assumption behind this line of thought is that men are somehow superior by creation and women consequently suffer by comparison. Is man the measure of all things? Is the masculine gender the standard for the world? Should the feminine gender strive to attain equality with men?

This again is based on the presupposition that being born as a boy is a privilege as against being born as a girl. This cock-eyed view has been prevailing in this country with disastrous consequences for the womenfolk in several pockets of this nation. One result is female foeticide. Girls are looked upon as being burdensome to their parents. Finding grooms for them, and garnering dowries for their marriage are seen as unbearable burdens, particularly in economically disadvantaged families.

What is the truth about the issue of gender equality? Women and men are not created equal. They are created differently. Their chromosomes are different. Their physical structure is different. Their mental make-up, too, differs. They are created to play different roles in life. These differences are not intended to separate them into warring camps. Their differences are meant to complement each other. A mans and a womans life becomes complete only when they use their differences to complement each other. What one lacks the other supplements. It is in this complementarity that they find fulfillment for both.

This realisation will open our eyes to see the sexes not as mutually hostile but as making for oneness. When this concept gains ground, the need to empower women as against the already powerful men will lose its urgency. Mans powerful physique is needed to perform hard physical labour. Because motherhood is the special status of women, their faculties are directed to the successful fulfillment of that function. Baby care calls for more emotional strength than physical fitness. The womans eye for detail goes a long way in nurturing babies, and the mans physical strength is required to provide for the familys needs.

Setting apart a few seats for women and inducting them into such positions is an open admission of their inferiority, which is taken for granted. What is required is an open-minded, unbiased approach to the whole question of gender equality. Let both men and women utilise their god-given powers to build up a happy family and society sans the artificial barriers of sexual disparity. Allow nature to take its course. In this way a happier, healthier, freer society will emerge. The need for special legal provisions to empower women can then be obviated.