Paul wrote this: Be Subject To Government
Rom 13:
1 (A) Romans Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.
2 (A) Therefore whoever resists [governmental] authority resists the ordinance of God.
All these areas: Rom, 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, 1 & 2 Thes. Were under Roman law/control, women's rights were culturally, socially & politically oppressed. Woman weren't allowed to partake in public debate.
Paul's conundrum was the places he was establishing churches were under Rome's rule/control/laws. This problem speaks volumes to many of his writing that women remain silent, cover their heads etc.
Women of the time (culturally) wore a head covering. Not so much with the ladies of the night. They wore no head covering, lots of jewelry, fancy ribbons, pins, excessive makeup etc. All were trade advertisements. Christianity was in it's infancy, the message was, this is God's house dress accordingly.
Throughout scripture women proclaimed God's word & prophesied.
The Samaritan woman at the well told/preached to men in her town. How, she'd found the promised Messiah. And they followed her to see/meet Him.
Esther persuaded a king to withdraw his decree, saving the Jews from destruction.
Another break in tradition is when Ruth (a gentile) proposed to Boaz & he accepted.
Notable example, Judge Deborah:
Judge Deborah found in Judges chapters 4 & 5. The LORD choose her, spoke through her (the Palm of Deborah) & used her to defeat the Canaan king, freeing the Israelites. Deborah is recorded a prophetess, poet, warrior & 4th Judge of Israel.
Although Deborah was the only female Judge. She's 1 of 4 women my search found to be called an OT prophet. Miriam, Huldah (2 Kgs 22:14 & 2 Chron 34:22), Noadiah (Neh 6:14).
Generally the word prophet of OT figures is connected to foretelling future events (Isa, Dan, Eze, Joel, Zec etc). In the NT the primary use of the word means, one chosen to teach, refute or admonish scriptures.
Judge Deborah, put into a leadership position in Israel by the Lord. Paul placed Phebe in a leadership position at the church in Cenchrea, a port in Corinth.
Rom 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
(MY NOTE: KJV translates servant of the church, AMP a deaconess, CEV a leader in the church, Darby minister of the assembly, DRA in the ministry of the church, ERV special servant, NIV a deacon, YLT ministrant of the assembly. I believe deacon (a Church leadership role) would be the accurate translation).
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Gal 3:
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is """neither male nor female""" for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons """and your daughters shall prophesy""", and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Closing thoughts:
God's Word is alive & active (Heb 4:12) always accomplishing its purpose, NEVER returning to Him void (Isa 55:11). No matter who the speaker is male of FEMALE!
The fundamental purpose of every Christian (man/WOMAN) is to share the gospel: Christ died for your sins, was buried & rose on the 3rd day (1 Cor 15:1-4).
Anyone that gets in the way (today trying to shut women up) is impeding this Christ given commission (Matt 28:19). Doing injustice to God 1st, themselves & the lost person that will remain lost.
Eph 5:25 (paraphrase) God tells the man, not the woman, to put higher value on his wife's life then on his own. Point: Neither Paul or God sees woman as 2nd class or valueless.