"Women's liberation" generally refers to the movement in modern society towards women having the same rights and social position as men.

In Vedic culture women are always protected and dependent.

"Women's liberation" states that women don't need to be protected; that they can take care of themselves and can be independent.

The women's liberation movement took place in society largely due to the exploitation of women, and women in many parts of the world are still abused physically, sexually and emotionally. They are forced into certain types of demeaning roles and are generally considered to be second-class citizens.

Certainly women should be liberated from this type of ill-treatment. Women are not second-class citizens. As spirit souls they are equal to men and have great things to contribute to society and to their family. There have been many great ladies in history who have helped to form the shape of society, in various fields: politics, religion, literature, music, etc.

So what is it that the Krishna consciousness movement has against women's liberation? That women can be independent and that they do not need to be under the protection of a male is what we call the false liberation of women. In a protected and dependent condition women can exercise their wonderful qualities and abilities, both in a generic sense as women, and also as individuals with varied talents.

So then the question comes up, "Why do women have to be protected?" The answer to that is, because of the difference between men and women. In terms of nature, men's nature is such that their intelligence tends to be bewildered when their senses are out of control. However, if their senses are in control their intelligence guides them in the right direction in life, in their spiritual path, as well as in their normal day-to-day interactions.

On the other hand, the intelligence of women is bewildered by their emotions. Women are very easily drawn into an emotional state and that emotional state bewilders their intelligence, which means that it bewilders their discrimination as to what is right or wrong and how to proceed in life.

Therefore women are considered the weaker sex, both physically and psychologically. They are meant to be the dependent part of the team of men and women, who follow social norms and ethics in life's journey through this world. The protection that women receive is from their fathers, husbands and sons, depending on whether they are unmarried, married, or widowed.

Women who are in the dependent role act as the supporting member of the husband and wife team. In a family unit they play the role of the mother. The role of the mother means that you care for the home as well as for the children. Such a society is a family-based society where not just the nuclear family but many generations live together in order to give the family strength and experience.

A woman who is under the protection of her husband takes care of the home and children. She also ensures that the children are properly raised and given a real sense of protection, love and guidance by their parents. The home should be a place in which everyone feels shelter and people are practicing spiritual life. Women should be cared for, appreciated, respected and seen as an integral part of society. A balanced social structure cannot exist without them.

In the western world, Vedic culture is seen to be incorrect in it's perception of women - because in the modern western world, women are seen through the eyes of a different value system. There is one ideal of "success", for both men and women. And everyone is judged by how he or she measures up to that one ideal. Everyone must mould into it. Black people become like white business men, women take the roles previously had by men. A women is seen to be unintelligent or second-class if she is not able to perform anything else other than taking care of the home and children.

The Vedic woman plays a traditional role, but this is misinterpreted as being inferior or unsuccessful. It is tantamount to saying that if a woman cannot live like a man, she is not living up to her potential. However, Vedic culture is not sexist and therefore women are respected for their traditional, feminine roles in society.