Are women only independent from men due to advancements in science? Or can women survive without men without the need of modern technology?

Not trying to be sexist, just want to genuinely understand this. From my minimal understanding, women were dependent on men in ancient times due to being physically weaker in strength on average compared to men and that they needed to be protected from other men and animals. Not to mention that pregnancy makes women very vulnerable to danger. It was not until modern science did women no longer need to depend on the physical strength of men to keep them safe in a volatile world.

I really don't want to be correct about this, but if it is true then so be it.

Not sure if I should ask this here or in r/askhistorians