Honouring Womanhood: The Beauty, Strength, and Rights of Women Today

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 15 September 2025 Women are the heart and soul of our world. Their love, courage, and wisdom light up families, communities, and entire civilizations. From a mother’s gentle care to a daughter’s bold spirit, women bring something special to every role they play. As the world changes, it is more important than ever to celebrate what women contribute and to protect their rights. This essay explores the incredible value of women, their roles in society, the challenges they face, and why safeguarding their rights is a must, drawing from culture, faith, and history. Women: The Spark of Life Women bring colour and warmth to the world. Without them, life would feel empty, like a painting without hues. Poet Munir Niazi said it beautifully: “Sheher Ka Tabdeel Hona, Shaad Rehna Aur Udaas, Ronaqen Jitni Yahan Hain, Auraton Ke Dam Se Hain.” This means the joy, sorrow, and energy of any place come alive because of women. They bring grace, patience, sacrifice, and wisdom—qualities that make societies strong. Women do not just live in the world; they shape it by raising kids, teaching values, and building cultures. As poet Iqbal wrote: “Wujood-E-Zan Se Hai Tasweer-E-Kaainat Mein Rang, Usi Ke Saaz Se Hai Zindagi Ka Soz-E-Darun.” From birth to beyond, women are symbols of care, love, and strength. What Faith Teaches About Women Religions, especially Islam, have always honoured women. Before Islam, women faced horrific treatment; buried alive in Arabia, treated as property in Rome, or denied respect in other places. Islam changed that, giving women rights to inherit, learn, choose their spouse, divorce, and live with dignity. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Treat women kindly, for they were created from a rib, and the most curved part of the rib is the top.” This means women deserve care and understanding, not disrespect and harm. Islam sees women as precious, like a pearl in a shell, protected by their modesty and worth. The scholars explain that the word “Aurat” means “a hidden or protected being,” showing how special women are. The Many Roles Women Play Women are blessings in every form. As a mother, paradise lies at her feet, as the Prophet said. As a daughter, she is a gift of mercy; as a sister, she is a source of honour; as a wife, she is a partner who brings comfort. Poet Shakil Jamali captured this perfectly: “Woh Maa Ho, Behan, Biwi Ya Keh Beti Ho Suno Logon, Har Ek Kirdar Mein Rakha Gaya Ghamkhaar Aurat Ko.” This means women show unmatched love and care in every role. Science even shows women often have higher emotional intelligence, helping them build stronger, kinder communities. Women’s Amazing Contributions Today Today, women are everywhere, breaking barriers and shining bright. They are pilots, scientists, teachers, politicians, entrepreneurs, and even soldiers. They stand side by side with men, often surpassing expectations. History is full of women like Razia Sultana, who ruled bravely, Jhansi ki Rani, who fought fiercely, or Fatima Jinnah, who inspired a nation. Modern heroes like Malala Yousafzai, fighting for girls’ education, Greta Thunberg, leading climate action, and Angela Merkel, guiding nations, show women’s strength and leadership. The Challenges Women Face Despite their achievements, women still face serious struggles. Violence, discrimination, and injustice are all too common. Every day, we hear about mistreatment, domestic abuse, harassment, or honour killings. In some places, girls are denied education, forced into early marriages, or kept out of public life. Events like International Women’s Day (March 8) and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) raise awareness, but they often feel like empty gestures without real change. Poet Habib Jalib said it powerfully: “Tu Aag Mein Ae Aurat Zinda Bhi Jali Barson, Sanche Mein Har Ek Gham Ke Chup Chaap Dhali Barson.” This reminds us that women have suffered silently for too long. Talking about their pain is not enough—we need action. Protecting Women’s Rights To truly honour women, we need more than words. Strong laws must protect their safety, freedom, and equality, and those laws need to be enforced. Education is crucial too, teaching kids to respect everyone equally can break old stereotypes. Women should also be free to practice their beliefs, like wearing a hijab or dressing modestly, without facing judgment or bans. Global groups must hold countries accountable for violating women’s rights. Without real consequences, justice stays out of reach. Women Shape Nations Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “Give me good mothers, and I will give you a good nation.” This shows how women, especially mothers, build the future by raising kind, strong, and thoughtful people. Their love and wisdom shape entire societies. Poet Abbas Tabish wrote: “Ek Muddat Se Meri Maa Nahi Soyi Tabish, Main Ne Ek Baar Kaha Tha Mujhe Darr Lagta Hai.” This line captures a mother’s endless sacrifice, a quality that runs deep in women and strengthens the world. Women are not weak. They are strong, wrapped in grace. From ancient times to today’s digital age, they have been pillars of compassion, intelligence, and resilience. It is time to stop silencing, objectifying, or controlling women. Instead, we should respect, empower, and support them. Their value is priceless, and protecting their rights is not just a legal duty, but it is also the right thing to do. Poet Farhat Zahid said it best: “Aurat Hoon Magar Soorat-e-Kohsaar Khadi Hoon, Ek Sach Ke Tahaffuz Ke Liye Sab Se Lari Hoon.” This means women stand tall like mountains, fighting for truth. Let us build a world where they don’t have to fight alone—a world that welcomes, honours, and uplifts them. ----- Kaniz Fatma is an Islamic scholar, and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/honouring-womanhood-beauty-rights/d/136838 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism