Why are women seen as a commodity?

Women as 'commodity' is clearly expressed in Manudharmasastra, a religious and social text upheld by the Hindus. Accordingly women are seen as a weaker sex, cannot make a decision on their own, and they are dependent beings. As commodity, they must be taken care of by their parents when young, by their husbands when married, by their sons when they are old. Such a view of women is definitely non-Buddhistic. Buddhist teaching provides space for both men and women to grow spiritually, and they are equal for their spiritual potentiality to achieve enlightenment.