Hence, the members of the Bah ' community, male and female alike, and its democratically elected administrative councils share a strong commitment to the practice of the principle of equality in their personal lives, in their families, and in all aspects of social and civic life. Individuals and social institutions collaborate in encouraging the development and emancipation of women, and in designing and implementing programs to enhance their spiritual, social, and economic development. Great emphasis is placed on education in the Bah ' Faith as a means of promoting the advancement of women. The religion not only upholds the principle of universal education, but it accords priority to the education of girls and women when resources are limited, since it is only through educated mothers that the benefits of knowledge can be most effectively and rapidly diffused throughout society. It advocates that girls and boys follow the same curriculum in school, and women are encouraged to study the arts, crafts, sciences, and professions and to enter all fields of work, even those traditionally the exclusive province of men.
Education is considered an important means of empowering women.
Apart from the acquisition of knowledge and moral values conducive to social evolution, education provides such benefits as the development of the mind, and training in logical and analytical thinking, organizational, administrative and management skills, as well as enhanced self esteem and improved status within the community. The type of education envisaged and actively pursued by the Bah ' community strengthens the role of mothers and encourages the spirit of cooperation in men. It prepares women for participation in all fields of endeavour and provides them with the practical skills to enable them to share power and decision-making. Women serve at all levels of the Bah ' administrative system, playing a distinguished role on the international level and being elected to membership of Bah ' national and local governing councils in all parts of the world. The system of values embodied in the Bah ' Faith is giving rise to the development of a vibrant worldwide community which is committed to promoting the emancipation and advancement of women.