What does d'aelders mean by women's "secondary existence in society"?

Back in her time, there was way less respect for women as there is now today in society. She was an active feminist, so she probably meant that the position for women in society back then was "secondary," or not important, used in this context, easily tossed away, unnecessary, an obstacle, etc. She wanted to proclaim this, saying that women are to be better than this, treated better in society by the patrimonial society that existed during those times.