Why are men's and women's mistakes treated differently in society, where men are forgiven for what women are not, and does this reflect a difference in the Sharia punishment or equality between them?

Males and females are equal, Islamically, in obligations, rewards, and punishments, except for what the Sharia has specifically designated for one of them. This is indicated by Allah's saying: "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life," and His saying: "The thief, male and female, cut off their hands," and His saying: "The fornicating woman and the fornicating man, flog each one of them one hundred lashes."

Societies must strive to guide both genders, rectify their morals, and facilitate means of chastity for them, such as encouraging early marriage, reducing dowries, and assisting guardians with young people.

Whoever repents from either gender and shows signs of repentance, society has no right to remind them of their past, for "one who repents from sin is like one who has no sin." Nevertheless, a girl who has grown up in obedience is not equal to one who has a past, and this is what the Sharia has affirmed by urging the choice of a religious woman, as well as the choice of one whose religion and character are acceptable for marriage.