You are very right. It is still the way it is in much of the world NOW, and especially the ares known as "3rd world". Statistics show that 75% of all food produced in the world is produced by women; From planting to harvesting to marketing. And yet for the most part they loose control when the profit comes in. They only control 20% of the money and those numbers include statistics from the western culture where many women do have power in their own lives.

I was in Nigeria in August and saw more than I think I can ever tell. I did see an amazing group of Women though, the CWFI women (Christian Women's Fellowship international), who, for 15 years have banned together to help one another. They are educating, teaching skills (from parenting to entrepreneurial business skills), as well as building & caring. One of their motto's is, "Make your Neighbor's need Your need". They saw a need and saw that the men, for the most part (though there have been a few powerful men who have supported and encouraged their efforts), were not interested, and even opposed them. But, inspire of the odds, they got busy and are changing central Africa.

Nigeria is a country where 40% of the women are "circumcised" (or as some call it, brutally maimed and destined to life long abuse and mutilation). That's a whole, and very large ugly subject in it self. It has been made illegally in Nigeria, though it is still practiced in many areas.

Why??? Hummmm??? I find that history and Genesis 3 holds some clues. The Nature of fallen humanity? Murder, Slavery, Abuse, genocide, survival of the fittest, biggest baddest bruiser on the block Etc. I'll skip the sermon here.
But I Thank God for Christ's Redemption.