The perception that women, since the beginning of time, have ended up with the short end of the stick in social hierarchies may not be altogether accurate. That’s according to author Annette Jahnel, who recently discussed her theory at a Women’s Month presentation under the auspices of the Hermanus History Interest Group.

From archeological excavations of ancient libraries going back to Mesopotamian and Assyrian cultures more than 4 000 years ago, it has been revealed that women played a meaningful role in all aspects of life. Not only did they write poems and hymns, but they were prominent in government, as well as trade. In their pantheon of gods, too, women were accorded powerful attributes.

Even in the life of Jesus and the early church, it has been posited that Mary Magdalene played a far more significant role than that attributed to her in New Testament scriptures, from which the Gospel of Mary was excised.

While, through the centuries, pow- erful women have made their mark in public administration, the arts, literature and social structures, generally, they have been relegated to the kitchen, the nursery, and sexual pursuits.

It was in the Victorian era, and the period leading up to the two world wars, that the suppression of women reached its height and was most institutionally entrenched, with ‘scientists’ going as far as insisting that men’s and women’s brains were different men’s, of course, being larger with greater capacity.

Annette suggests that we may be on the brink of a new ‘Wise Age’, when equality will mean “what women do best is recognised as being as good as what men do best”. Or, as an audience member suggested, when women’s rights are recognised it will be better not just for women, but for society in general.

Story by: ELAINE DAVIE

Annette Jahnel
Author, Philosopher 
+27(0)62 497 8802
https://linktr.ee/annettejahnel

THE VILLAGE NEWS – 15 AUGUST 2025