The evidence of a woman reporter, that she had heard a certain saying from a certain source, was treated on the same basis as that of a male reporter, by the collectors of Hadith. This verse is in reference to the public duties of the Holy Prophet's wives as teachers of the Muslims. They were public figures holding a delicate position, and not private individuals, and therefore they had to avoid doing things which could be misrepresented and bring them under the slightest shadow of suspicion. At the same time, they had to fulfil their duty of giving instruction, which meant that they had to come into contact with a large number of people of all kinds. Hence the precautions mentioned above, including that of not talking informally with men.
Women correct men in matters of religion.
There are instances in which women corrected the views of a man of the stature and position of Hazrat Umar. Aishah, on being informed of this, said that Umar was wrong, and that the Holy Prophet had not said this because it contradicts the teaching of the Quran that a person cannot be punished for what others do. An ordinary woman rose up from among the audience and read a verse of the Quran opposed to this idea. Holy Prophet appoints woman as imam in her house. So men of the house prayed behind her.