Legal Frameworks: Historical and existing laws have often entrenched patriarchal structures, limiting women's rights in areas like property ownership, inheritance, and decision-making. Examining legal reforms is crucial for understanding shifts in gender power dynamics.
Educational Systems: Unequal access to education or gender-biased curricula can perpetuate stereotypes and limit opportunities for women, thereby influencing their social and economic standing. Progress in female literacy and access to higher education are key indicators of societal change.
Political Participation: Underrepresentation of women in political decision-making bodies limits their ability to influence policies that affect their lives. Analyzing the impact of women's suffrage and increasing female representation in government is essential.
Economic Conditions: Changes in economic structures, including employment opportunities, wage gaps, and access to resources, significantly impact the gender hierarchy. The Kerala Model, for instance, highlights how social development, including high female literacy and participation in the workforce, can lead to greater gender equality.
Cultural Norms and Practices: Deep-rooted cultural norms, traditions, and social practices often reinforce gender roles that place women in subordinate positions. The gradual erosion or adaptation of these norms due to socio-economic changes is a critical aspect of progress.
