Gender Equality and Discrimination

Gender equality is one of the most important ethical issues in modern society. Religious teachings on gender roles have been both praised for upholding complementary roles and criticised for being used to justify discrimination. This lesson explores Christian and Islamic perspectives on gender equality.

---

Key Terms

Term	Definition
Sexism	Discrimination based on gender; treating someone unfairly because of their sex
Equality	Being treated fairly and having the same rights and opportunities
Complementary	Different but equal; men and women have different roles that work together
Patriarchy	A social system in which men hold primary power and authority
Feminism	The belief in and advocacy for the political, social, and economic equality of the sexes
Prejudice	Unfairly judging someone before knowing them
Discrimination	Acting on prejudice; treating someone unfairly

---

Christian Views on Gender Equality

Views Supporting Gender Equality