‘Defying the odds: can women truly thrive in a patriarchal world?’

Dear Editors, We analysed the article written by Abdillah et al.1 on women’s backwardness. And there were many perspectives that we discussed. In a world that continues to evolve towards gender equality, the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society remain a pressing issue. While there has been much progress in women’s rights, patriarchy is still the dominant structure that influences many aspects of their lives. An important question that arises is: can women really achieve a high quality of life in a world still dominated by patriarchy? This question is at the centre of the discussion in this paper. One of the biggest barriers women face in a patriarchal culture is structural. Women often face difficulties in accessing education, employment and political participation on an equal footing with men. In many countries, existing laws and policies do not always favour women, reinforcing gender inequality and limiting their opportunities.2 For example, discrimination in the workplace,3 unequal pay and lack of legal protection against gender-based violence are some examples of how patriarchal structures prevent women from reaching their full potential. These barriers exacerbate injustice and undermine efforts to improve women’s quality of life. Women also face social and cultural barriers.4 Rigid social norms, unfair gender expectations and stigma surrounding women’s roles in the family and society can negatively impact their mental and emotional well-being. In many patriarchal societies, women are expected to prioritize traditional roles as mothers and wives, often at the expense of their personal and professional ambitions5 even if they have good careers. This social pressure not only limits women’s freedom, but also creates an adverse environment. Even patriarchal structures hinder the provision of adequate services to women victims of violence.6 This in turn prevents them from achieving a better quality of life. To overcome these barriers, women’s empowerment is crucial. This empowerment can be achieved through various means, such as increasing women’s access to education,1 supporting women’s entrepreneurial initiatives,7 and promoting equitable legal reforms.8 Education, in particular, acts as a catalyst for change, enabling women to develop skills, knowledge and awareness of their rights. In addition, community support and women’s solidarity can help them overcome restrictive patriarchal norms. By combining these efforts, women can be empowered to take control of their lives, make independent decisions, and contribute fully to the development of society. Although the challenges of patriarchy remain great, there is hope that women can achieve a higher quality of life through empowerment and social change. However, important questions remain: Is society ready to create the conditions in which women can truly thrive? Achieving true gender equality requires a collective commitment to changing social norms, correcting inequitable policies, and eliminating gender discrimination at all levels of society. Only then can women reach their full potential and help shape a more just and inclusive future. This question is relevant not only to women, but also to all societies that strive for shared prosperity. None declared. None declared. This study is a critical review and does not include any new data generated by the authors. All data analyzed in this review are derived from previous studies, all of which are cited within the text. These references can be accessed through their respective publishers or databases. For detailed information on the sources, please refer to the references section of this manuscript. No new, unpublished data were used or produced in the preparation of this review.