I can answer a few questions:
3) when a place ia open to trading and communication it can create an alliance with neighboring countries/states. However when a place is closed it could have enemies trying to gain something, land, money, power etc, and attack.
4)Gender can play a very important role. Sometimes women could be treated in a similar way in certain places, however in most women are treated like they are below men, having fewer rights then men if having any rights at all.