I believe there are many factors, market economy being one of them. Both social movements like feminism and pure economic benefit drive the change. The current world shows that the richest societies are the most equal. Equality helps people rise up in society, serving as motivation for innovation. It is a fact that women have been forbidden to do things like vote or become candidates for political positions. However, entrance of women to working life has had a great effect on gender equality. During the world wars there was a lack of workers on the civilian side, which allowed women to take jobs in factories and so on. Having the possibility to work in previously forbidden places has created a feedback loop which continues to increase gender equality.