Does Religion Stand as a Barrier to Gender Equality?

 

Despite religions claiming that men and women are equal, gender equality proponents continue to admit that more work needs to be done to bring about greater equality by religions.

Gender equality experts have pointed out that although women are far more likely to be religious than men, very few religions and denominations treat each gender equally. In most cases, gender discrimination is obvious. For example:

• Leadership roles continue to be restricted to men.
• Religious traditions, rules and cultural factors demand that women be treated differently than men.
• Religion gives commandments on how women must live their day-to-day lives, sometimes in the service of male counterparts.
• God continues to be portrayed as a male figure.
• Segregation between the sexes still prevails in most religions.
• Ideas of humility and modesty tend to be focused more on women in religion.
• Protocols are more strictly applied to women during religious services.
• Most religious texts and practices are patriarchal.
• In many major religions, only men are ordinated.  
• Women typically are not a part of the decision-making process at most religious institutions.

On a global scale, do you believe religion is a barrier to gender equality? 

What are some ways in which religion could bridge the gender equality gap between the sexes? 

Is religion the primary cause of gender discrimination in most cultures and societies?