Within Ayyavazhi, women are understood as spiritually equal to men and as fully capable of realizing the highest aims of the tradition. The emphasis on oneness, dharma, and the transcendence of social divisions extends to gender, so that women are regarded as full participants in the unfolding of righteousness. This spiritual equality is reflected in the way Ayyavazhi honors feminine divinity and recognizes women as embodiments of divine power and wisdom. Such a view affirms that gender does not limit access to grace, insight, or liberation.

The sacred narratives, especially those associated with Akilattirattu Ammanai, acknowledge women’s spiritual capacity and portray female figures as important bearers of devotion and strength. These stories highlight women’s virtue and spiritual achievement, presenting them as integral to the religious imagination of the community. In this way, the feminine is not merely symbolic but functions as a living reminder of the presence of divine energy within the human realm. The reverence for such figures reinforces the conviction that women share fully in the sacred vocation of Ayyavazhi.

In the sphere of practice, women participate actively in worship at Ayyavazhi centers, engaging in prayer, ritual service, hymn singing, and festival observances. They are deeply involved in the daily religious life of the community, including ritual cooking, devotional gatherings, and the maintenance of ethical discipline in the home. Through teaching children and guiding family life, they help to transmit the values of dharma, non‑discrimination, and unity from one generation to the next. Their role as custodians of lived tradition gives them a quiet yet enduring influence on the spiritual formation of the community.

At the same time, formal leadership and institutional authority tend to be less commonly held by women, especially in the management of major centers and core liturgical duties. This pattern reflects broader social norms more than any explicit doctrinal exclusion, and it coexists with strong informal and moral leadership exercised by women in domestic and local devotional contexts. Thus, women stand at the heart of Ayyavazhi’s religious life: honored in doctrine, active in worship, and central to the preservation and transmission of its spiritual vision, even when their authority is expressed more through service and guidance than through official titles.