Gender equality: A historical approach to its theoretical construction between the XVII and XX centuries

Abstract

Women and men's position in society has been built on the generalization of an ambiance where sex difference has been structured in an inequality dimension, expressed in discriminatory relations and women's subordination, which are reflected in all social structures including the law field. From the historical point of view, differences between sexes and legal inequality are closely related. Mutual difference between men and women was conceived as the difference of women with respect to men when the first ones empowered and established themselves in the human model. Ever since, sexual difference has meant legal inequality in detriment of women.