The movement for women’s and girls’ empowerment requires commitment from all of us, including men.  Men’s participation in this movement is increasing around the world creating solid and sustainable efforts toward gender equality.

Men are also powerful allies in the movement.  Take for instance former President Jimmy Carter, founder with wife Rosalynn, of The Carter Center.  The Carter Center’s overarching goal is to advance universal human rights and alleviate human suffering.  Throughout its work, the Center has encountered the reality that women are majorly second class citizens.  Carter himself acknowledges that world religions play a significant role is this.

Former President Jimmy Carter with wife Rosalynn
Credit: Emily Staub/The Carter Center – Nasarawa North, Nigeria

In 2009 Carter gave a compelling speech to the Parliament of the World’s Religions, revealing that the status of women today is in part sustained by world religions’ beliefs in the subordination of women.  He himself is a life-long Christian and staunch advocate for women’s right to equal treatment.  He effectively exemplifies that a man can be both of these things, fully and without compromise.   After decades as a member, Carter disassociated from the Southern Baptist Church in 2000 in part because of its mandate for women’s submission.  By comparing the Declaration of Human Rights and pieces of the Holy Bible, Carter simultaneously points out those perpetrating women’s oppression and points to solutions.

In Jimmy Carter’s own words:

This view that the Almighty considers women to be inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or tradition. Its influence does not stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue, or temple. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths, creating an environment in which violations against women are justified.

The truth is that male religious leaders have had – and still have – an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter.

Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world. This is in clear violation not just of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, Moses and the prophets, Muhammad, and founders of other great religions – all of whom have called for proper and equitable treatment of all the children of God. It is time we had the courage to challenge these views and set a new course that demands equal rights for women and men, girls and boys.

As a follow up to his speech, listen below as Carter urges religious communities to promote, not hinder, women’s rights during his opening remarks at The Carter Center’s 2011 Human Rights Defenders Forum.

Carter, like other male allies such as Nicholas Kristof, Phil Borges and Ted Turner, is an influential figure in the global movement toward women and girls’ equality.  He concludes with a call to action each of us needs to hear, and heed:

“…we are calling on all those with influence to challenge and change the harmful teachings and practices – in religious and secular life– that justify discrimination against women and to acknowledge and emphasize the positive messages of equality and human dignity.”