” A woman cannot be herself in the society of the present day, which is an exclusively masculine society, with laws framed by men with a judicial system that judges feminine conduct from a masculine point of view” 

To what extent are Ibsen’s words still true today? Provide real-life examples.

Woman has had a very evolving role in society. Women were originally perceived as caregivers and mothers over anything else and also solely household centric. However, in the modern day world woman play integral roles in multiple environments especially evolved in terms of working and being the breadwinner of the family. However, Ibsen’s words still come into perspective when we reflect on the laws pertaining to some LEDC countries that are not willing to adapt judicial systems or mindsets towards allowing gender equality. An example of this still happening today is what women in Saudi Arabia are facing.

Under the Saudi Arabian male guardianship system, women must have a male guardian who has the authority to make a variety of important decisions on her behalf. Women require guardian approval to apply for a passport, travel outside the country, study abroad on a government scholarship, get married, or even exit prison. Essentially they are forcefully controlled by males and restriction of freedom. Article 7 in the UDHR states “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.” However, under Saudi Arabian law(influenced by sharia law) men are more superior and therefore equality before the law. Male guardianship undermines women and restricts their freedom as men are given more importance legally and socially as they have the ability to choose decisions for women that they should be entitled to do themselves. Hence applying to the words of Ibsen, “Women are restricted by laws framed by men with a judicial system that judges conduct from a masculine point of view.”

On the contrary in many countries, we see laws and mindsets that encourage women to be themselves and allow for gender equality. An example would be New Zealand which was the first country to reform laws to allow women to vote and therefore allow them to contribute to choice in political leaders. 

In conclusion, Ibsen’s words apply in some cases however we have come a long way to change societies view on the role of women hence “A woman [can] be herself in the society of the present day.”