Gender equality is also known as the equality of the sexes. It means that both males and females should have equal access to resources, job opportunities, education, economic benefits, goals, etc. “Gender equality is when people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities” (source). It does not mean that the sexes are to be treated exactly the same. Nor does it mean that everyone is the same. Males and females are physiologically different.

• Males are stronger than females.
• Males have more muscle mass in their upper body than females.
• Males are generally taller than females.
• Males are hairier than females.
• Males have more testosterone than females.
• Males have a larger visual processing center in the brain than females.
• Males have larger and stronger hearts than females.
• Females have more estrogen than males.
• Females have breasts, where males do not.
• Females have longer torsos than males relative to body size.
• Females have more connective tissue (corpus callosum) between the left and right brain hemispheres than males.
• Females are about 40 to 60% lower in strength in their upper body than males.
• Females can become pregnant, where males cannot.
• Females have better color perception and peripheral vision than males.

Obviously, males and females are physiologically different, and these differences provide advantages in different environments, such as how males are better at work that requires heavy lifting and endurance. Women are generally better at multitasking and might be better at dealing with many desperate situations, i.e., being teachers.  But, intellectually, they are equal. Therefore, in the modern world where physical strength and endurance are not needed in office/board room environments, equality between the sexes should be based on merit, not gender. So, there ought to be equality in the areas where males and females are equal, and the pay should reflect that equality.

Gender Equality and the Christianity

The Bible teaches us that all people, male and female, are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-20). Therefore all people are to be treated with equal respect and honor. Though this is not always been the case, even in Christian countries, that is the goal. But, there is also a biblical differentiation among the male and females regarding function. Generally speaking, gain, women take care of the children, and men provide for the family. In modern times this has varied because of divorce, economic pressures, etc. However, in salvation, there is neither male nor female (Galatians 3:28 ). Still, the Bible has a lot to say about women. A gracious woman gets honor (Proverbs 11:16). A good woman is to be dignified, not slanderous or gossip (1 Timothy 3:11). Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25).

However, there is an ecclesiastical distinction between males and females in the church. Women are not to be pastors and elders. Though this is not well-liked or even practice and much of modern Christianity, it is still the biblical position. For more on this, see “Should women be pastors and elders?”  So, though the Bible clearly teaches is a differentiation between male and female, it also teaches that we’re to love one another, show respect to one another, and consider others more important than ourselves. In this, generally, we can achieve biblical equality.

Philippians 2:3–4, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.“