Reference: Women doesn't deserve freedom..!!??
Pita rakshati kaumare, bharta rakshati youvana,
putrah rakshati varddhkye, na stree swatantryam arhati

   There are many such quotations like this one in manusmrithi or any other smrithis. They look very much controversial in today's world.
   I have an opinion on these smrithis. Rules(in smrithis) are written according to the then present situations. a rule which is today may become absurd after some days. 
   You might be familiar to something called 'yuga dharma' like 'kaliyuga dharma'. every yuga has a set of rules. They are applicable to that yuga only. for eg., a scene in ramayana says that the omnipotent, omniscient Rama killed a 'sudra'(dont remember his name), because he was performing penance. Because according to that yuga-dharma, a sudra was not supposed to do that(again controversial!!). He was right as per that yuga's dharma. Now, couldn't valmiki(a sudra himslef!) ignore that petty scene to make his story more appealing?
   If we go through the recent Kautilya's Arthshastras, there are many such rules which seem ridiculous these days. You may find a judgement which gives a death sentence to a burglary!!
   Yes, according the above quoted smrithi it says that women have no freedom. which is quite arguable these days. Now, this is controversial to present day's sitiation.
There is also a quote which says ---
"Sruti Smrithi Purananaam Virodho Yatra Dushyate !
Thathra Shrotam Pramanam thu thayordhaithe Smrithirvara!"
(Wherever there appears a conflict between Sruthis (Vedas, Upanishads etc) and the Smritis and Puranas, what is declared in Sruthis must prevail) .
As per my knowledge, everyone are equal as per Vedas. Shruthis are what immortal, universal. This is my opinion.