Let me preface this by saying that I don't mean to hijack your post in any way.

In the olden times, women were given limited rights and privileges in the society since they were perceived to be inferior compared to men.

I think that this is a very modern take on the issue but I don't think that's necessarily true. During the time when the U.S. public debated allowing women to vote there was a vocal group of women who were against the proposition. You might say that they were doing harm to themselves but their reasoning was completely understandable in my view. The major point that they made was that gaining the right to vote would also give them the responsibilities that only males previously had. Specifically being subject to draft and having to join the army. Part of the reason why men had rights that women did not have was simply that they also had some responsibilities that women did not have.

So yes you can look at it as males treating women as inferiors. But you also have to realize that during the same time it was the men who were fuel for the war machines of their countries. In a way every great empire that ever existed was built by making men disposable. Both in war and at work. Even now males have significantly higher mortality rate at workpace and a higher rate of suicides as well.

Men and women are great. But they need each other in order to succeed in life. Happy upcoming womens day!