UN 4th World Conference on Women
Excerpt from Beijing Inter-Regional Round Table in September, 1995
The fourth world conference in Beijing China in September 1995 was the culmination of the political agreements reached at the three previous global conferences on women and gender equality. 189 countries unanimously adopted the agenda for women´s empowerment in Beijing, which is considered the key global policy document on gender equality.
Shri Mataji was invited as a guest speaker on this global platform. She had always made her views on the role of women very clear. They have an equally important role in this world as men, but should capitalize on the differences between the genders rather than trying to match them. A proper balance between men and women was vital for building a stable and peaceful society. An acknowledgement of the differences and a respect for each other’s strengths were what was needed. Time and again she reminded people of the need for everyone, men and women, to find an inner balance to their inherent “masculine” and “feminine” sides. Where women could really make their impact however, was on a social level.
Shri Mataji never regarded herself as a political activist. Her vision was of an inner transformation in both men and women through self-realization, whereby they achieve a natural balance. This self- transformation was the key to addressing many of the problems that women are facing in a world dominated by men.
“Seeds cannot create anything by themselves. It is Mother Earth which provides the flowers and the fruits and other bounties. Similarly, it is the woman who creates the child, who nurtures the baby and eventually brings up the citizens of tomorrow. Women must therefore rank with Mother Earth as the edifice of the entire humanity”.
Having lived in both the East and the West and travelled extensively, she saw the differences in the way women are treated, and while she acknowledged the dire lack of rights many had, it was the lack of respect towards women that seriously concerned her.
When both men and women understand their own values and those of each other, which she felt could be achieved through self-realization, then harmony would be achieved amongst mankind.
“So, it is for us, at this moment, to understand the value of this great power that is given to us by our Creator. But what do we find? Whether in the East or in the West, women have not been able to give a full manifestation of their greatness.”
Certainly, Shri Mataji advocated the equal rights of women to an education, a career, a safe living environment, and legal protections.
“I am not suggesting at all that the only role of women in human society is that of mother, the procreation and preserver of children, or that of wife or sister. Women have a full right to participate as equal partners in every aspect of life: social, cultural, political, economic, administrative, and the rest …………. But, if they are mothers, they have a great responsibility towards their children as well as society”.
However, Shri Mataji felt that the imbalance between the genders could be truly corrected only when we turn inside ourselves and allow the power of self-realization to steer us.
“What we need is a balance between the two extremes. We need woman as equal but not similar partner with men….