Abstract
An overview of the status of women, starting from antiquity (including their status in the Far East), and ending in the present day, emphasizing American women, and their prospects for education and economic advancement.

From the Paper
"There are and always have been very distinct divisions in the roles of men and women. These divisions are deep-rooted in economic, social and religious beliefs throughout history. Women have played many roles in societies throughout history. Through the centuries, almost every society has developed very distinct ideas of what activities are proper for women. In some societies, there is no greater honor than to be a woman and in turn a mother. Yet, as in some Asian cultures, the lives of women are of such less value than those of men that the practice of female infanticide has become a widely used device for population control. Over time, many reasons have been given for the gender inequality that exists in society. Women are supposed to be weaker, less aggressive and more caring and nurturing than men. However, the most applied barrier of equality, especially in the workplace, has been woman's ability to bear children (Hanmer 19). Because only women have the ability to bear children, it has often been viewed that it is thus a woman's ultimate obligation to do so. There has been no scientific evidence though that women have what is called maternal instinct, that is, a natural desire to bear and care for children (Hanmer 115). From the earliest of times, motherhood has helped to divide men and women since women primarily stay at home while pregnant and nursing. Likewise, men have traditionally taken jobs away from the home. In primitive times, this practice may not have suggested inequality between the sexes. Yet, in our modern times the tradition of women staying at home rearing children while men work outside the home has left many women economically dependent on a man to provide the material necessities of life. "

Tags:equality, jobs, women, feminism

Abstract
This paper examines the status of women in Hinduism. The paper reveals that Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with nearly one billion members world-wide.

Tags:hinduism, women, india

Abstract
This paper looks at the status and role of women in Islam and discusses some of the reforms underway that are having an impact upon Islamic women's political participation. The paper considers the relationship between Islam and women, feminism among some Islamic women and how their goals and objectives differ from Western feminism.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this essay is to consider the relationship between Islam and women, who constitute an important element within Islam and who are as responsible for the maintenance and transmission of the religion to succeeding generations, as are males. The stereotypical view of Islamic women is one of oppression and subordination; a view with certain validity from the Western perspective and a view that is at odds with the fundamental teachings of Islam on gender relations. Islam like any of the other..."

Tags:Women, ISlam, Koran

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that fifty years ago, women were almost entirely excluded from leadership roles and today, however, the profile of women leaders has increased profoundly. The writer points out that despite the success of women in many leadership positions, many argue that women are not fairly represented in higher profile leadership positions. The writer looks at women in leadership roles around the world and attitudes underlying the current status of women in leadership roles. Further, the writer looks at the future for women in leadership roles. The writer concludes that as women continue to take on leadership positions that are traditionally associated with masculine qualities, the public perception of these positions will change.

Outline:
Current Status of Women in Leadership Roles
Women in Leadership Roles Around the World
Attitudes Underlying the Current Status of Women in Leadership Roles
The Future of Women in Leadership Roles

From the Paper
"Recently, Hillary Rodham Clinton's run for the leadership of the Democratic Party has brought the issue of women in high profile leadership positions to the forefront of discussion. Clinton is likely most famous for her tenure as first lady to President Bill Clinton, although she is becoming increasingly well known without this primary association to her male partner.
"Women like Fiorina, Whitman, Jung and Clinton are so notable simply because they are so unusual. This says an enormous amount about the reality of women in high-profile leadership roles in North America today. It would be virtually impossible to single out male leaders in high-profile roles in quite the same way."

Tags:success, Hillary, Clinton, female, roles, stereotypes

Abstract
This paper examines the status of women in contemporary Canada and Afghanistan, highlighting two societies that really cannot be compared. At the same time, this paper's topic remains illuminating because it shows how women have been given unequal roles, over time, as they have been fitted into changing economies and societies in ways preventing gender equality. This paper refers to a handful of sources that offer some less considered features of both societies with regard to the status of women.

Tags:canada, afghanistan, statuswomen

Abstract
The essay deals with the different roles of women in early medieval Europe and how they were affected by the spread of Christianity. Wives and the effect of new, Christianity inspired, marriage laws are discussed as well as the changing status of unmarried women, widows and female serfs. Female missionaries, nuns and saints all boosted the status of women. The role of Queens before and after the adoption of Christianity is covered, dealing with the positive and negative changes that took place. The essay concludes that overall Christianity had a positive effect on the role and status of women.500-1000A.D.

From the Paper
"The role and status of women in Western Europe between ca.500 and ca.1000 did change due to Christianity. However whether the female role and status in society was diminished or improved depends on a number of factors. Primarily, the type of woman in question must be taken into consideration. Queens, for example, were affected in a different way to female serfs. Secondly, we must also look at the role and status of women before the emergence of Christianity to make a valid judgment of change after ca.500. Thirdly, to a certain extent, the origin of the woman is a factor; Christianity affected different parts of Europe in a manner of different ways."

Tags:convents, dos, early, europe, female, laws, marriage, medieval, missionaries, monasteries, queens, saints, serfs, western, whitby

Abstract
This paper explains that the position of women in Hindu society has changed considerably in modern times with the advent of modernity and technology, however she is still not on par with her contemporaries in the west. It argues that modern laws have mitigated the tightly restricted position women occupied in Indian society to some extent, however there is still much that needs to be done to raise the status of women in Hinduism.

Outline
Introduction
Traditional Concepts of Women in Hinduism
Status of Modern Woman in Hindu Society
The Dowry System
The Sati System
Female Foeticide
Hinduism vs. Modern Status of Women
Conclusion

From the Paper
" The status of women in Hinduism is much different from that of women all over the world. While Hindu women are also subject to the gender inequality that exists all over the world, it may be noted that religious restrictions and dictates mandate additional limitations upon the Hindu woman. Traditionally, her status has always been one of inferiority to man, but the underlying contempt that leads to this treatment of her as inferior is belied by the religious deception of her portrayal as a supremely moral being, as strong and as pure as a goddess. It may therefore be observed that Hinduism imposes upon Hindu women a religious standard of morality and purity that is almost impossible for a real woman to attain. It requires a level of self sacrifice and piety that is paradoxically denied to her by virtue of her "uncleanliness" caused by menstruation. Therefore, while Hinduism calls out to women to maintain the status of purity and morality that will ensure the attainment of a religious standard to serve in religious institutions, it also ensures that this standard will never be achieved - because she is ostracized from the religious shrines when she is menstruating. The highest ideal for Hindu women is the attainment of religious zeniths of purity. Everything in a Hindu woman's life is conditioned around religion and Hinduism is the source of all the cultural and societal values that are imposed upon the woman."

Tags:hinduism, india, west, east

Abstract
The paper looks at the research on how economic development increases the gap in equality between men and women. The paper looks at
the negative effects of modernization in Cameroon and Pakistan but then shows how in India, a number of economic initiatives have been undertaken in regard to the role and status of women. The paper highlights how education and training are an important way for women to continually improve their status and argues that women need to be considered important partners in the continued economic development of a country.

From the Paper
"Sometimes something that would seem logical and that would appear should be the case, does not turn out to be the actual situation. This is the case with women's status and the economic development of a country. In most cases, the GNP is considered the parameter for economic growth and as the GNP improves, so too does the free market system or market reform. However, what about the impact on women in this situation? Does the improved market equate to better status for women? It is logical to think so, but this is not always the case."

Tags:exploitation, discrimination, inequalities, training, pay

Abstract
This paper focuses on the status of women in the pre and post revolutionary days, that is the 17th and the 19th centuries. The paper also touches upon the current status of women to show how the changes that took place in the 19th century finally affected the life of American women in the 20th century. The author concludes that it was mostly in the 19th century that awareness regarding civil rights grew among women.

From the Paper
"Women in the United States have worked hard to achieve some sort of equality to their male counterparts in every field of activity. Social economic and political conditions have undergone a massive change since the country attained freedom in 1776. Women were a significantly oppressed section of the society in the 17th and 18th centuries, there were no voting rights for them and they were kept out of armed forces and other businesses. This resulted in lack of economic resources for women, which further lowered their position in the country, as they had to depend on their husbands, fathers or brothers for financial support. This has changed significantly today as most women are seen working side-by-side men in almost every field. They are also playing an important role in armed forces and large corporations but we must not forget that women struggled for more than a century to reach their current status in the United States."

Tags:revolution, movement, freedom, female, male, vote

Abstract
This essay outlines the contemporary status of Korean women. It commences with a notation of their ancient influence, and its disappearance form the Yi to the nineteenth century under the weight of neo-Confucianism. It then assesses their improving status in the twentieth century and the significant inequalities that remain. The status of women and gender relations in North Korea is also considered.