History of South America

What rights did colonial law deny women?

* The right to vote. Women were not allowed to vote in any of the American colonies.

* The right to own property. In most colonies, women were not allowed to own property in their own name. If they were married, their property belonged to their husbands.

* The right to make contracts. Women were not allowed to make contracts in their own name. If they were married, their husbands had to make contracts for them.

* The right to sue or be sued. Women could not sue or be sued in their own name. If they were married, their husbands had to sue or be sued on their behalf.

* The right to an education. Women were not allowed to attend college or university in most colonies.

* The right to work outside the home. In most colonies, women were expected to stay home and take care of their families. They were not allowed to work outside the home unless they were widowed or divorced.

* The right to control their own bodies. Women were not allowed to make decisions about their own bodies, such as whether to have an abortion or to use birth control.