What role do women play in okonkwo's life?

Women give Okonkwo a sense of validation. He enjoys being taken care of as well as the attention he gets for having brides. Okonkwo wants little to do with child rearing which the wives take care of. For a greater understanding of women's roles in this book, check this out:

http://www.postcolonialweb.org/nigeria/women.html