Empowering Women Myth or Reality?

The empowerment and emancipation of women is a global phenomenon. The feminist movement and activists from various backgrounds have vehemently advocated for gender equality and promote the dignity of women.
Gender equality and the empowerment of women is a work in progress. I daresay that Christ was the first to place women in their rightful place. The gospel of Luke is laden with many parables in which Christ showed respect for women. The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees was not uncommon. Take for instance the parable of the woman caught in adultery (John 8: 1-11) The leaders were ready to stone her to death as was the custom of the day. Jesus came along saying he who is blameless of sin let him cast the first stone. In some parts of the world, women still do not have a voice, who will speak for them? Men and women are created in the image and likeness of God, not one superior to the other. When gender becomes an issue, it is usually in regards to social norms and acceptable behavior. Often there is a double standard. You need not degrade one gender to promote another. Each has its own unique role and must be respected. Male and female he created them.
Many Church documents have always defined the dignity of women and their indispensable role in the Church and the world as a whole. Pope Francis has called for more widespread and incisive female presence in the Church. He addressed the issue of finding balance between equality and  difference in an address of February 9th this year in the presence of the Pontifical Council for Culture's Plenary Assembly. Men and women must come to live together acknowledging their differences and not against each other. By nature, both men and women are the same. One is necessary to the other.
The role and contribution of women particularly in pastoral activity, education, social, economic as well as political should be highly encouraged. One must keep in mind where the first man Adam failed, it took the fiat of WOMAN, Mary the Second Eve to rectify this. The feminine dimension of the Church should be welcomed, it regenerates life.
We must not bury our heads as Ostriches, and pretend that gender discrimination does not exist. There is a disparity in jobs, opportunities and salaries. The role of the woman is by the side of the man. Man is .incomplete without the woman, for she is taken from his side. Behind every successful man is a woman. Proverbs 31:10-31 describes this woman. She is priceless and far surpasses rubies. The woman is not some property to be taken for the use of the man, rather they are one. This dialogue for equality of men and women will continue for ages to come, and we must never of having such discussions.
There is one race, and that is the human race, and all are to be revered and respected.