Essay On Lack Of Women In Canada

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How a Lack of Men Propelled Women’s Activism in Canada during the First World War
While World War I was one of the deadliest conflicts in history that tore countries apart internationally, it was also an event that paved the path for women’s rights through unity and change. World War I began on Jul 28, 1914 and lasted through Nov 11, 1918. In a time where women were not even considered persons under the law, the changes brought upon by the world war led to changes socially, politcally, and economically for women in Canada. World War I had a significant impact on women that was both long-lasting and consequential, providing them with more social and political power and higher economic status.
Socially, women were given more opportunities and roles in society as they took over jobs that were unoccupied due to men heading overseas to fight in the war. For women, there was an increased participation in the workforce, especially in industries previously dominated. This was due to the labour gap created from men leaving the workforce to fight on the front lines. People were initially hesitant to assign these jobs to women, but as the war progressed and …show more content…

With the absence of men on the homefront, there were increased employment opportunities for women. Aside from social recognition and political rights, with the income women were now able to generate, they gained greater financial independence. Furthermore, this increase in income was further amplified with the increased demand and lessened supply of labour. While still unable to obtain the same wages as men, women earned comparatively more than before. The legacy of women's increased autonomy and control over financial resources resulted in significant advances in women's empowerment and a challenge to societal gender norms that continues to this