Why there is so much abuse of women in Things Fall Apart?

If you read the story, you noticed that Okonkwo is harsh and rude to his wives; he uses them for his own pleasure. They have to cook and clean. The women's job is to stay away from mens' businesses. Okonkwo doesn't fully realize the importance of the women in his life until he gets exiled to Mbanta. There only , he realizes how important they are. Basically, men in those tribes don't have the equality that we now have in America and they abused the power they had over women and children. Idk if I answered your question....(: