SO ARE GIRLS AND WOMEN EMPOWERED IN ISLAM?

        Empowerment is a process. Through this process, an individual becomes an agent of change. More simply put, it's the "can do" factor, going from "I can't" to "I can."
In this regard, Islam's approach is proactive, which means it guides its followers with more than 700 commandments of positive things to do in the Holy Qur'an, in a systematic approach, to address change in the entire society, not just in the individual.

So, are girls and women empowered in Islam?

        Oppressed, inferior and unequal - for many people these are the first words that come to mind when thinking about women in Islam.
These stereotypes confuse the teachings of Islam with cultural practices. Few people realise that Islam has empowered women with the most progressive rights, and has done so since the 7th century.
For a minute, I'd like you to consider the time before Islam.
        At this time, women were treated very poorly, and girls were often buried alive as soon as they were born.
At this time, a woman's consent concerning anything related to their well-being was considered unimportant and unnecessary. They were not consulted before having to forcibly sign marriage contracts.
They were not involved in any family decisions. They had no independence, could not own property, and were not allowed to inherit. In times of war, it was common practice to exchange women as ransom for freedom.There is an entire Chapter in the Holy Quran specifically about the rights and responsibilities of Women in Islam.

So how has Islam empowered women?

        Islam is a balanced religion. Gender equality, first and foremost, is a basic human right. Islam recognises this right, and emphasises that while men and women have physical differences, they enjoy absolute spiritual equality from God. God says in the Holy Quran: "But whoso does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter Heaven. "

Women play essential roles in the formation of society. The many roles which a woman may play throughout her life in her capacity as a daughter, wife, mother, and friend, must take into account the fact that far from being the passive, oppressed, victim of popular stereotype, woman and for that matter, the Muslim Woman is seen to be a whole person with a valid contribution to make at every level of life.
The Holy Qur'an makes it clear that the sole basis for superiority of any person over another is piety and righteousness, not gender, color, or nationality. It says, "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (one who is) the most righteous of you.

         Similarly, the rights, roles, and responsibilities of women are evenly balanced with those of men but are not necessarily the same. As Islam has granted individual identities to men and women, a constant comparison between the two is futile. Each plays a unique role to mutually uphold social morality and societal balance.
Maya Angelo once qouted "you may kill me with your hatefulness , but still like air,I "ll rise".