`Abdu’l-Bahā likens men and women to a bird’s two wings. He says:

The human world, like birds, needs two wings. One women and the other men. Flight is not possible with one wing. A shortcoming of one wing will cause hardship for the other.[1]

From the teachings of his highness Bahā’u’llāh is the unity of women and men, for the human world has two wings. One wing is men and the other wing women. The bird will not fly unless both wings are equal. If one wing is weak flight is not possible. Unless the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in attaining virtues and accomplishments, prosperity and salvation will be impossible and unfeasible.[2] 

`Abdu’l-Bahā believes the difference between men and women is rooted in how they are brought up and nurtured:

Up to now, the reason women lagged behind men was because women were not nurtured like men. If women were nurtured like men, there is no doubt that they would have become like men. When they attain the virtues of men, they will surely reach the rank of equality.[3]

He emphasizes:

Men and women are both humans and the servants of one Lord. In the presence of God there is no such thing as man and woman. Whoever has a purer heart and better actions is closer to God, whether he is a man or a woman. The differences we see now are caused by differences in nurturing for women are not nurtured like men. If they are nurtured like men they will become equal in all ranks, because they are both humans and share the same ranks. God has made no distinction.[4]

Baha’is preach that if the world is to reach peace and unity, women must be allowed to attain the highest social, national, and international positions without discrimination and limitations, and be given the right to freely implement their views.

Baha’i leaders have tried to portray themselves as women’s rights advocates in order to make their creed more appealing to the modern society. Shoghi Effendi says:

Baha’is worldwide have the opportunity to show the world that they have achieved a new style concerning the relation between the two sexes. Aggression and the use of force have been obliterated and they have been replaced with co-operation and consultation. If women’s stature in the Baha’i teachings is properly exhibited, it will definitely attract more attention.[5]

By expressing sympathy for women—especially the women in Iran[6]—Shoghi tries to portray Baha’ism as a creed with equal rights for the genders. When Baha’i teachings are more closely analyzed, it is apparent that there is no equality in rights, rather, there is a great inclination towards men.