Before The War
Before the war began women played a part in society but not one that was classed as very important, they took on the traditional gender roles, they cooked, cleaned and took care of children very few women had jobs but if they did have a job it would have to be an appropriate job for women like: Teaching Nursing or Office work.
After The War
After the War started a larger importance was placed on Women, they were now expected to on top of cleaning and cooking etc. to get jobs and also do volunteer work to support the men at war. Women usually joined groups like Red Cross and helped make bandages and supply packs. Because of all the men leaving Women had to get jobs there were now allowed to have jobs like: Police work, Posties, Ammunition factories, Armed forces cooks, Clerks and Electricians.
Society Today
In today's society women's participation in the Australian Defense Force is restricted to non-combatant roles, such as in the logistics and medical corps. In 1914 women were not allowed to hold any type of military position, expect for nurses who saw active duty on the front. With the women still wanting to be apart of the war, they turned their efforts to fundraising. They've established foundations of some vital Australian Charities which still exist today.
Beginning of WW1
At the time of WW1 women in Australia, New Zealand and a few other Scandinavian countries were actually allowed to vote. Although in Australian women received a wage of 54 percent, lower than that of their male counterparts. Their role was seen to be working in the homes, performing domestic duties and raising and looking after the children.
Women and Government
From the outset women were very keen to actively be involved in the war just as much as men. Women had applied to work in what was considered a traditional women's role, such as cooks and clerks, so that men could be free and fight. Although the government still discouraged any attempts from any women to serve in the armed forces. The only women that were allowed to help serve in the war, were nurses who served overseas.
While the government did not want women to leave their homes for fear, it would upset the balance of society. A number of women took up roles that were left vacant by men who enlisted in the war. Jobs such as typists and bookkeepers rose because of the positions filled by women. There were also jobs that were closed to women such as insurance and banking, these jobs were always positioned by men.
Women's Jobs During War
During the war women were applying for work that were not position for them before the war broke out. The result was that a percentage of the female population became dissatisfied. In response to this, instead of women working they decided to turn their attention to charity work. To help with the process, the women relied on various methods to help their fundraising, these include, door- knocking appeals and fetes to help assist their men fighting over seas. In 1914 the Red Cross grew quickly through out Britain, reaching every state of the country. Women from all over the country made their contribution to the war. The middle class women worked on compiling packages for the men who were serving over the seas. These packages included soap, toiletries, food and games. Within the week of starting this, they then started sending clothing and medical supplies. They also established homes for the injured soldiers to recover, plus raising money to assist soldier's families. During 1916 women started sending over 'comfort boxes' these boxes include knitted sicks, cigarettes, persevered food and even pjs. The devotion from all the women who were keen in helping their soldiers in the war was amazing. They knitted nearly 1.5 million pairs of socks in the war. Women were that keen in helping that they established an organization called the Australian's Women's Service Corps, this was formed so that women could be trained to work in jobs that were meant for men, so they could enlist. But the idea was ignored by the male dominated government. There were over 200 women's voluntary groups that formed around the time of WW1.
Women were also given the job to encourage men to enlist. By the men who didn’t, women thought to this to be cowardice and usually shunned them away by turning away or crossing the streets.
Women were also given the job to encourage men to enlist. By the men who didn’t, women thought to this to be cowardice and usually shunned them away by turning away or crossing the streets.