… [concerning] the question of the membership of
the Universal House of Justice being restricted to men. This, likewise, is a
provision of the Sacred Writings, as stated clearly by both ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and
the Guardian. It should be viewed in the light of the principle mentioned
above, that election to institutions of Bahá’í administration is regarded as a
summons to service and not as an accession to power. It is also significant
that the Universal House of Justice has itself written that the fact that its
membership is restricted to men cannot be used as an indication that men excel
women or that the Bahá’í principle of the equality of the sexes is not valid.
As you know, it is a mandate of the Universal House of Justice to ensure the
establishment of the equality of men and women, and you are undoubtedly aware
of the vigor with which the Bahá’ís are putting this into effect.
(From a
letter dated 18 July 2000 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice
to an individual believer)
