Legal Studies- Women (status, changing needs, gender bias in the Australian legal system)

a) Historically, to what extent were women treated as second-class citizens? It can be stated that women have been treated as second-class citizens to a very large extent throughout history. In the past, women have always been held at an inferior place to men. The traditional role of women has been one of subservience to men. The role of a woman was either as a prostitute, or as a wife at home. Men were the …

…which would aim to guarantee greater numbers of women in prominent positions within the legal system and legal profession. Furthermore, women's lobby groups such as the Women's Electoral Lobby were introduced in order to fight against gender bias in the legal system. Such committees aim to educate the judiciary in gender awareness, and gender bias issues, and ensure that greater numbers of women hold positions of seniority within the legal system and the legal profession.