“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27)
Both men and women were created in God’s image. To be created in God’s image means to be created “like God” (Gen. 1:26). Women are meant to be part of God’s family also, and to reflect God’s glory just as the men. In the new creation order in Christ, there is neither male nor female; we are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28). This doesn’t mean there are no functional differences between men and women in the Christian life or in family life, but it does mean that a woman in Christ is just as much a child of God as is a man in Christ.
Adam and Eve were full of God’s glory. This is God’s desire for His children. They were to be like God in character, and to a lesser extent, in capacity. The fact that we are made in God’s image, even if now that image is distorted through sin, makes us magnificent and valuable. Even fallen men reveal something of the creativity, brilliance and artistic nature of God. Man should never be treated like an animal or like an object. We should love and respect all people because they are made in God’s image, with potential to be children of God in nature by adoption.
