In every society, the roles women and men assume accord women fewer opportunities and privileges. They usually have less say than their husbands in family decisions and less authority than men in the workplace. Because women hold far fewer positions in governing bodies, they have little impact on decisionmaking or public policies. Gender inequality may also be structured and perpetuated by the economy, the political system, and other social institutions. Civil law and religious customs in various countries, for example, may restrict a woman's ability to own property, work in certain occupations, or serve as a religious leader.
Gender is a cultural construct.
Gender is organized differently in different societies. Accordingly, the expectations for women and men vary throughout the world. Farming is considered men's work. In some African countries, women are entrepreneurs and actively participate in the public markets. In South Asia, however, market roles are considered men's domain, and women who participate in the public sphere out of economic necessity are not respected.