matriarchies
A matriarchy is a social system in which females, especially mothers, hold the primary position of power and moral authority. In such a system, the mother or eldest female is the head of the family, and descent and kinship are traced through the female line. Matriarchal societies are distinct from matrilineal societies, which only trace descent through the female line but do not necessarily grant women political power or authority.
Evidence for historical or contemporary matriarchies is a subject of ongoing debate and research among anthropologists
The concept of matriarchy is often contrasted with patriarchy, a system where men hold primary power. Discussions