First of all, this applies only applies to financial transactions where a debt contract is being put together in writing. Two men are required as the witnesses. But if they're not available then one man and two women, so that if one woman forgets something, the other may remind her, not because she's inferior, or her witness is less wrothy of a man. If it was a murder trial for instance one female's testimony would be accepted
Haters and Enemies of Islam abuse the meaning of this verse to try defame Islam by saying, This means one man, is equal to two women. Or they say, In all Islamic courts, women's witnesses are worth half of a man's. This is not true.
If the woman as a witness was worth half that of a man, the verse would have stated clearly. But obviously that is not the case. Instead, the reason for 2 women and 1 man as witnesses is that if one woman forgets, the other may remind her.
Being a witness in an Islamic society is a burden. No Muslim desires to be a witness AGAINST another Muslim, unless it becomes complusory upon him/her, if required by law. By having two females, rather than one female, further protection and encouragement for women is given, to give witness. Women in an Islamic society are usually not invovled in employment, business transactions, and other such out-of-the-house positions. However, if they desire, they can do so, but most Muslim women prefer not to. Historyically, a woman is not an expert in business transactions, and is thus prone to forgetfullness. Thus this verse protects the parties in FINANCIAL contracts. And at the same time, gives women another peer to make them more comfortable in bearing and giving witness against a party. Counter-intuitively, this verse actually protects the women and the parties involved in FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.
Womens Testimony In The Bible
If a man accuses his wife of unchastity, her testimony will not be considered at all according to the Bible. The accused wife has to be subjected to a trial by ordeal (Numbers 5:11-31)