Women's place in society
When World War I started, Australia, New Zealand and a few other Scandinavian countries were the only nations who gave women the right to vote. It was uncommon for many women to have jobs, but the women who did work still received a wage 54% lower than that of their male counterparts. Their role was still seen to be in the home, performing domestic duties and raising the children. As the war progressed, many more men left home to defend their country and women grew keen to be as actively involved in the war effort as men. Women started applying for work outside of the home mostly in the food, clothing and printing industries that were already established as female roles and as the lack of men available for jobs grew, so did the amount of women working in traditionally male jobs. Although it was necessary for women to take up the roles left vacant by men who had enlisted, the government still resisted the fact that a great number of women could take up paid work in place of the men. The government also discouraged any attempts by women to serve in the armed forces. The only women who were allowed to engage in any form of active involvement were the nurses who served overseas. Although women were not allowed serve in the armed forces, the war did offer women increased opportunities in the paid labour market. Between 1914 and 1918, an estimated two million women replaced men in employment, resulting in an increase in the proportion of women in total employment from 24 per cent in July 1914 to 37 per cent by November 1918.
Charity and fundraising
As a result of not being able to serve in the armed forces and limited jobs available, many women turned their attention to charity work. Some of these charities included the Australian branch of the British Red Cross, an organisation predominantly staffed by middle-class women whose main task was to compile packages that contained luxury items such as soap and toiletries as well food and games for the men who were serving overseas. They also supplied clothing and medical supplies for the soldiers, established homes for the wounded soldiers to recover in and raised money to assist soldiers' families. And the Australian Comforts Fund, a charity that fund raised money to provide 'comfort boxes' containing items such as knitted socks, cigarettes, preserved foods and even pyjamas for the soldiers. During WW1, over 200 women's voluntary groups were formed relying on various methods of fundraising, including door-knock appeals and fetes to assist the men fighting overseas.
The australian women's land army
As well as charity work many women also got involved in the Australian Women’s Land Army (AWLA) in 1942. Because of the lack of men as well as the destruction of many supply boat bringing food into the country, the women of Australia formed an to replace the male farm workers who had either enlisted in the armed services or were working in other essential war work such as munitions. The AWAL was voluntary group whose members were paid by the farmer, rather than the government or military forces. The AWAL was open to women between the ages of 18 and 50. These women were provided housing in hostels around the farming area, and members were given formal farming instruction and were initially supplied with uniform. The members of the AWAL did not engage in domestic work rather they undertook most types of work involved with primary industries.
The role of women during WW1 significantly changed woman’s place in society and played an important part in the development of women’s rights, and their place in society. Women went from being paid less than half the wages of their male counterparts and being expected to perform domestic duties and raising the children to being allowed to work in traditionally male jobs and to work for the Red Cross, tending to soldiers overseas and on the home front. Once the war was over, women were more empowered; they began to experience huge economic, social and political changes, which became the foundation for change for generations of women to come.
The role of women during WW1 significantly changed woman’s place in society and played an important part in the development of women’s rights, and their place in society. Women went from being paid less than half the wages of their male counterparts and being expected to perform domestic duties and raising the children to being allowed to work in traditionally male jobs and to work for the Red Cross, tending to soldiers overseas and on the home front. Once the war was over, women were more empowered; they began to experience huge economic, social and political changes, which became the foundation for change for generations of women to come.