I think talking on equalities are in and of itself a problem. Men and women aren't equal or not equal. They're different. It's not a hierarchy. Each has their place or domain or role, and each is best when they know it and/or fulfill it.

The idea of male dominance / female subservience is a very modern concept that grew out of commusit / feminist ideation and the attempt to draw differences by finding lacking equivalences.

Is the guitarist somehow subservient to the bassist? No, they each have their place, domain, and role in the performance of the overall work.