This work investigates how the increasing influence of religious fundamentalism across various global political systems has systematically eroded the legal and social rights of women. Sheila Jeffreys, a prominent scholar in feminist theory, utilizes a cross-cultural analysis to examine how both state-sponsored and non-state religious entities exert control over female autonomy. The text argues that the intersection of traditional religious doctrine and modern political policy creates a regressive environment that undermines international human rights standards.

Scholars and activists frequently cite this text as a rigorous examination of the political mechanisms used to institutionalize gender inequality. Readers often note the academic density of the prose and the extensive use of primary source documentation to support the author's arguments.