Can a woman attain moksha
Yes. In Jainism, a soul (jiva) can achieve moksha regardless of gender. There are differences in how this is understood in the two main Jain traditions:
- Digambaras: Traditionally hold that a woman must take rebirth as a man to attain kevala jnana and final liberation. Some texts and interpretations allow the possibility of ultimate liberation for a woman only after such a rebirth.
- Shwetambaras: Generally hold that women can attain moksha in their present female form, provided they undertake the right spiritual discipline, austerities, and right path.
In both traditions, moksha is about shedding all karmic bonds and realizing pure ātman, but the path and conditions (as interpreted by Digambara vs. Shwetambara scholars) differ.
If you’d like, I can point you to specific Jain scriptures or commentaries from the Digambara and Shwetambara viewpoints for more precise verses and explanations.