Ancient Rome accepted noblewomen to be recognized as citizens though with restrictions that limited their interests in leadership politically. The Roman society which could be described as patriarchal did not allow women to participate in politics despite their outspoken nature. The women, however, continued to fight for their political space in national leadership resulting in their participation in voting. The status of the Roman women, therefore, varied from the poor fishermen who survived on peanuts to the rich women that inherited much wealth from their families as well as wives of great businessmen and famous politicians.
Roman law
The legal status of women kept fluctuating over the period when the Roman Empire existed. Archaic law marriages under the Roman law could be categorized into three; the sacred marriages defined by sharing of bread (conferrato), through purchase, and by mutual cohabitation. However, the lowest common denominator for all women rested on their traditional role to bear children. Girls were therefore married off to suitable suitors in exchange for wealth at a very young age. Most women also received limited education and training which limited their participation in lucrative employment opportunities.
The lifespan of most women especially girls reduced remarkably due to the accompanying complications at childbirth in ancient Rome. This is also attributed to the fact that childbearing was made to be a huge burden on them as they were required to bring forth as many children as possible to their husbands who had paid for their exchange. Women were therefore subjected to chauvinistic practices by their male counterparts desperate to dominate every aspect of society. That notwithstanding, women did not succumb to gender disparities that existed at that time but fought for their rights and privileges as human beings.
There was a continuous struggle among women for equal representation in legal, education, and economic activities. This sustained struggle led to constitutional amendments that resulted in fair representation of women in leadership and access to education in learning institutions. As such, apart from the traditional roles that women played at home as wives and mothers, their contribution to economic development in their society ascertained the enlightenment process. It was equally important that women become trained in various disciplines in order to be entrenched into the different economic sectors of the country.
Formal learning demanded an elaborate education system that granted equal opportunities to both men and women in their career training. Employment opportunities were therefore attached to the professional training that both men and women irrespective of their gender.
The laws that were subsequently enacted sought to introduce affirmative action in women empowerment and gender equity issues. As a result, women were also employed in government jobs.