What is Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s description of women?

Gender Neutrality in Sikhism.

GENDER discrimination has been a universal phenomenon in human history from time immemorial. On account of her biological constitution, social taboos and scriptural sanction, the social position of the woman has always been considered as inferior and subordinate to man in society. 

According to Sikh ideology, all men and women possess equal status. All human beings, regardless of gender, caste, race, or birth, are judged only by their deeds.

The Gurus took to advocate the equality of women, revolutionized the tradition of Indian society. As they began to partake in social, religious, and political affairs, their contribution and worth as equal partners of men became more obvious.

The Sikh Gurus invited women to join the sangat (congregation), work with men in the langar (common kitchen), and participate in all other religious, social, and cultural activities of the gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship)

Guru Nanak not only rejected the lowly social status of woman but declared her to be the essence of social coherence and progress, and equal to man in every sphere of life. Quotation in guru Granth Sahib page # 473
From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married.
Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come.
When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound.
So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.
From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all.
O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman

Guru Angad strongly encouraged the education of women.

Guru Ram Das, In regards to dowry:
“O my Lord, give me thy name as my wedding gift and dowry.” Guru Ram Das, Page 78, line 18 SGGSji
“Any other dowry offered is a valueless display of false pride and of no earthly use.” Guru Ram Das, Page 79, line 2

Guru Amar Das also condemned purdah, the wearing of the veil, and female infanticide. He spoke against the custom of sati, thus permitting the remarriage of widows. He wrote, “Only they are truly wedded who have one spirit in two bodies.” male and female alike need to practice conjugal fidelity. They advocated marriage of two equal partners.

Guru Hargobind called woman “the conscience of man “without whom moral living was impossible. Child marriage was discouraged and the practice of female infanticide, which had been strongly discouraged, was severely banned

Guru’s established 22 Manjis were for the preaching of Sikhism, 4 were women and appointed 52 women missionaries to spread the message of Sikhism and Women swelled the ranks in spreading the message of the Gurus as missionaries. By the time of Guru Gobind Singh, 40% of them were women. With the birth of the Khalsa the last of the barriers of caste and gender oppression had been smashed. Women though continuing their roles of mothers and wives were forever changed. They were lifted up and given the same Amrit at the side of their brothers. The same rules that applied to them to follow the Khalsa way applied to them. They were granted the same 5 K’s. Guru Gobind Singh’s encouragement of women to keep even shastars symbolized that he did not envision her role in society as being that of a “nice, meek housewife,” but rather that of a fearless, active, independent warrior, involved in the world.Kaur became her name. Kaur has an interesting history. Its origin can be found in the word Kanwar, literally meaning a Crown Prince.

Guru Gobind Singh’s wife Mata Sundri led the Khalsa Panth for many years after passing of the tenth Guru. Jathedar Sada Kaur along with Maharaja Ranjit Singh made possible the formation of the Sikh Empire.

Many other women were commanders of their own battalions and died on the battlefield.
For example, Bibi Bhag Bhari (late 1400s–early 1500s) was appointed to the Manji of Kashmir by Guru Amar Das Sahib. The great Sikh institute of langar was established in part by Mata Khivi (1506 – 1582). Mata Sahib Kaur (1681–1747) famously added sugar to the Amrit during Guru Gobind Singh’s creation of the Khalsa. Mai Bhago (late 1600s–mid 1700s) led the Chali Mukte back into battle against invading Mughals and later on went onto to become the bodyguard for Guru Gobind Singh Ji.