This short article is written by Adv Nirvrithy Prasannan s, Advocate, LLM student at Central university of kerala Department of law.
ABSTRACT
One of the oldest and most pervasive systems of social control, patriarchy has historically denied women equal rights and conditioned them into submissive roles. Women have been confined within male-created and reinforced power structures for centuries. Though these roles were frequently framed within patriarchal narratives that glorified their subordination to men, women in ancient times held spaces of reverence as mothers, nurturers, and occasionally as rulers or scholars. Women’s marginalization increased with the introduction of organized religion and the codification of laws. Discrimination against women was institutionalized by social norms, religious precepts, and hierarchical status divisions. By dictating women’s subservience to fathers, husbands, and sons, ancient texts such as the Manusmrithi legitimized male dominance and reduced women’s autonomy to almost nothing. Gender inequality has been sustained across generations as a result of these artificial concepts becoming cultural norms. Education, property rights, political participation, and even basic freedoms were restricted for women. In addition to being accepted as normal, the exploitation and conditioning of women was also defended as necessary to uphold social order. The historical foundations of patriarchy, its social and religious expressions, and its long-lasting effects on women’s rights are all critically examined in this article. It makes the case that breaking down such ingrained barriers calls for a mix of social awareness, legal reforms, and empowerment tactics that go against oppressive customs. Society can move closer to a more inclusive and egalitarian future by dismantling patriarchal ideologies and reclaiming women’s rights.
