In ancient Egypt, which of the following was a legal right for women?

• A. Serve as priests
• B. Own property
• C. Vote in elections
• D. Hold public office

Answer: (B)

Owning property shows a woman’s formal legal status and economic independence in ancient Egypt. The law allowed women to inherit land and possessions, hold property in their own name, and manage money or assets. This meant a wife could own a house, farmland, or a dowry, and she could engage in contracts or handle property matters in court. In contrast, voting or elections didn’t exist in ancient Egypt, and public office was not a general option for women. While some women could serve in religious roles, that wasn’t a universal legal right for women as such. So the clearest, widely recognized legal right for women was the ability to own property.