Women are the sisters of nations. ---- إن النساء شقائق الأقوام

 The word “shaqa’iq” is the plural of “shaqiqa,” which means anything that is split in two. By “al-aqwam,” he meant men, according to those who say: “al-qawm” applies to men, not women. The meaning of the proverb is that women are the opposite of men and are split from them, so they have the same rights as men.

ِAI said

A similar English equivalent is:

Women are the counterparts of men.

Or, more accurately expressed as a proverb or maxim:

Behind every great nation are its women.

For a broader social meaning:

Men and women are two halves of society.

However, a more direct and insightful translation of the proverb is:

Women are the sisters/equals of men.

 

الشقائق، جمع شقيقة، وهي كل ما يشق باثنين، وأراد بالأقوام، الرجال، على قول من يقول: القوم يقع على الرجال دون النساء ومعنى المثل، أن النساء مخثل الرجال وشقت منهم فلهن مثل ما عليهن من الحقوق.