Dear Peter,
What a nice start up issues you are starting my friend.
Well, this one is really nice one.
As a female, My answer is "female should not be equal" but due to the stress in life, female went to work and sometimes they bear more responsibilities then males.
In religion and life they are not equal in rights. In acts they are not equal but in responsibilities sometimes they do.
many new married couples can't surive without the female contribution.
For me for example if I married someone who can take over the whole responsibility, why should I work? Work give experience? Yes, but does it worth it to go to work and leave the house for long hours, and leave the kids to be raised by nannies, and grandparents? I don't think so.
I know many females may come against me and ask then why do we go to colleges? and learn? My answer is simply to be educated and to be aware of what is going around us with understanding not ignorance. And to be able to raise our children in a healthy and good environment.
Many females work because they need to feel important, and for themselves but not for money.....But I am sure that if these females have kids that want their care, and if these females are normal, they will leave everything to take care of their families.
In Islam, God diffrentiated between "Al tahakar wa Al2onsa" and between "Elregal wa Alnesaa2"
Zakar wa 2onsa are species, kinds, gender.
Regal is an adjective "Sefa" many females are more "Regala" then males. And I think that this is very obvious lately..."No offense to anyone please"
Just simple thoughts
Have a nice day
Marwa El Khawalka
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Marwa El-Khawalka