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How Did Ww2 Contribute To The Liberation Of Australian Women

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From the 1st of September 1939 to the 2nd of September 1945, life in Australia experienced drastic change. These six years and one day were the catalyst for a radical shift in Australian women’s place in society, ultimately leading to their emancipation from previous roles. The Second World War was instrumental in the liberation of Australian women as their shift away from traditional roles, improved financial equality and increased military participation led to empowerment and new freedoms. The most prominent of these factors in the liberation of Australian women was their emancipation from previous roles. World War Two catalysed the empowerment of women through their emancipation from previous roles in society. Due to both the implementation …show more content…

The cooperation of high political figures and unions to secure equal pay for women was contributory to the overall liberation of Australian women. These factors caused the average woman’s pay to increase from 54% of the male rate to 70%, some unionised women gaining the full wage. (ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee, 2015) Prime Minister Curtin advocated for women’s rights, “I have done my best… to have women paid on their merits. I see no reason why a woman should be paid less than a man for the same work” (Curtin cited in John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library, 1943) In addition to this, unions of the time also continued this movement as predominantly male trade unions began to accept female members. (Fieldes, 2013) This left-wing source possesses bias that places disproportionate emphasis on the importance of unionisation, yet still remains relevant. However, this movement towards liberation experienced widespread traditionalist opposition, one such man writing to the Argus, “Would they [women] not be better fitted for jobs too often held by men in the city shops?” (Guthrie, 1941, pg 7) Despite aforementioned opposition, the movement for equal pay and opportunity for women flourished. Women were greatly liberated from previous roles during World War Two as their increased financial equality allowed for greater freedoms, including the foundation of auxiliary

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