Hindus worship many female deities, as aspects of Mother Goddess and consorts of male gods

Hindus worship many female deities, as aspects of Mother Goddess and consorts of male gods. The law books prohibit men from harassing or neglecting women in households. It is man's obligatory duty to protect his wife and take care of her until the end. He is not expected to abandon her, since she is a gift from god under a pledge, except where there was sufficient justification such as mental illness, inability to bear children and adultery. Similarly, he has an obligation to take care of his aged mother or his dependent daughter. Women are considered aspects of Nature or embodiment of Universal Mother, Shakti, in her aspect as pure energy (shaktiswarupini). She is extolled as mata, the Mother Goddess, or devi the auspicious one. 
However, The Vedas suggest that a woman's primary duty is to help her husband in performing obligatory duties and enable him to continue his family tradition. Her primary duty is to give birth to his children and take care of them.  Ironically, Ours is predominantly male dominated society. Women play a secondary role. True in certain ages, women enjoyed freedom and held administrative posts. Generally speaking, the Vedas placed comparatively greater duties and responsibilities upon men and exhorted women to help their men in performing such duties. Any respect that women enjoyed in society were as daughters, mothers and wives. It meant that once their husbands passed away, women lost their status in family and suffered from many disabilities. This is evident from the division of duties prescribed by the scriptures between a man and a woman. A husband has wider obligatory duties than his wife. In fact, the Vedic ceremonies and sacrifices revolve around men. They are performed by men for men. If women are involved, it is usually for conception or procreation where again the emphasis is upon male children. Women cannot officiate in any Vedic ceremony. They may perform domestic rituals such as puja or perform austerities, but the host of a sacrifice is always a male member.
As per tradition, a woman has limited freedom. She is a dependent entity, in a household dominated by male members. As a young child, she lives under the protection of her father or guardians. As a wife she lives under the protection of her husband and acts as his partner, advisor and helper. As a mother she nurtures her children and shapes their destiny. 
Women like Maa Sita, Satyavati, Draupadi, Ganga, Kunti, Shakuntala, Menaka, Amba, Anasuya, Damayanti, played an important role in exemplifying the ideal conduct of women in private and in public. They also exemplify the hardships faced by women in ancient times. Even, Maa Sita, an incarnation of goddess Lakshmi, the queen of Lord Rama, had to bear the brunt of gender discrimination and public ire. Tradition recommends four prominent roles for a married Hindu woman: that of a servant (dasi), that of an advisor or counselor (mantri), that of a mother (mata) and that of a lover (rambha). 
In some communities in the past, upon the death of their husbands women performed sati and self-immolated themselves on the funeral pyres of their husbands. This practice is currently banned. The life of a widow was a life of severe hardship. Premature death of a man was attributed to his wife. If a man died early, his close relations pointed their fingers at his wife for bringing misfortune upon the family. 
Manu Smriti says that a society that cannot respect women and give them complete liberty is bound to be a haven of scoundrels where only misfortune abounds. Vedas say that one who exploits women should be hung upside down and severely thrashed. They further say that to be true humans, we should be sane enough to respect the glory in all women – young or old – like mother. Worship Shakti, Devi, but Any ritual is a complete waste if it does not directly and proactively lead to refinement of character and samskaras! Jai Maa AdiShakti!!