Between Faith and Freedom: Women’s Struggles in Religious Traditions

This paper examines how major world religions have contributed to the oppression of women through doctrines, laws and social practices. Focusing on Abrahamic traditions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) and Indian-origin religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism), it explores how religious norms have legitimized women’s subordination in family life, religious leadership, education and public roles. At the same time, the paper notes that each tradition contains elements that affirm women’s spiritual equality and has generated movements for change. The analysis shows that while legal and social reforms have improved women’s status, religiously grounded gender hierarchies continue to shape many women’s lives, especially in patriarchal and rural contexts.