June 8

But there are certain matters, the participation in which is not worthy of women. For example, at the time when the community is taking up vigorous defensive measures against the attack of foes, the women are exempt from military engagements. It may so happen that at a given time warlike and savage tribes may furiously attack the body politic with the intention of carrying on a wholesale slaughter of its members; under such a circumstance defence is necessary, but it is the duty of men to organize and execute such defensive measures and not the women -- because their hearts are tender and they cannot endure the sight of the horror of carnage, even if it is for the sake of defence. From such and similar undertakings the women are exempt. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet to an individual believer, published in ‘Paris Talks: Addresses given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912’;The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)