Women’s Role in Umbak
The roles of Women and Men in Umbakian Culture are distinct, though the genders are considered equal for the most part in terms of rights – marriage may be arranged for alliances, but it is NOT forced.
Primary Role: Every woman is expected to have 3 children in their life time. They are expected to remain the primary caregiver and only work in the cottage industry for the first 3 years of their offspring’s life. Older women and adolescent girls function as day care workers for some years. By the age of 30-40, most are allowed to “retire” – they seek volunteer work or things to keep them busy, or may stay employed in their job; exemptions are caretakers of craft and knowledge. If they are good engineers and designers, good with science and/or alchemy – they go to the “Tinkerers Hall” were they are indoctrinated into faith of Ikribu. After they are sent to The Iron Alloy Halls and work on the fusing of Virtues and perfection of build – automation, crop improvement, selective breeding, faster chemical processes. Aptitude demonstrated at a young age here trumps all other laws. Those with faith aptitude are allowed to pursue any career or role in the faith of the Lightbringers they qualify for.
Fashion: Women are encouraged to express themselves within the normal conventions of the culture. Dying of hair and use of makeup is only encouraged in natural colors. As with most things Umbakian, clothing fashion is highly utilitarian.
Martial: They are tested and if found to be martially insufficient, they can go serve as a field medic, can be exiled, or serve a year of penance in the cloister of Aerna and return to their same community. Usually a sentence of shame, guilt, or a job so dangerous they don’t live long. Serves as a deterrent. Males at least get trained for 6 months before testing. Weak ones end up breaking something – they are given the option of a logistics job or sent back to the community with an “at least I tried” marker. After healing, find any local work. Each community must contribute to the war effort – based on size and composition. Lottery to send required draftees. Women are considered equal if they can do the job, nothing specifically barring them.