Introduction
The women during World War 2 were required to continue the men's work while they were gone to fight.
By April 1941, it became apparent that Australia’s workforce was diminishing. As more Australian men enlisted for the military, there was a drain on the labour force.
Non- essential industrial production was cut down and the labour forces employed in these industries were redirected by the Directorate of Manpower needed to find another source of labour and turned to women.
The number of women employed in the industry between 1939 and 1943 exploded from 1000 to 145 000. The total number of women employed in various jobs in the Australian workforce numbered over 800 000
Women found employment in traditionally male jobs but were often only being paid a fraction a man’s wage. Attempts to remedy the situation ended in defeat as women were repeatedly opposed by the male dominated unions and the government, afraid that women would expect equal treatment after the war.
The huge increase in employment of woman in World War 2 was a significant social change, but it was not matched by a change in government attitude towards women. Wages were not changed and it was made clear that women were expected to return to their traditional roles when the war ended.
By April 1941, it became apparent that Australia’s workforce was diminishing. As more Australian men enlisted for the military, there was a drain on the labour force.
Non- essential industrial production was cut down and the labour forces employed in these industries were redirected by the Directorate of Manpower needed to find another source of labour and turned to women.
The number of women employed in the industry between 1939 and 1943 exploded from 1000 to 145 000. The total number of women employed in various jobs in the Australian workforce numbered over 800 000
Women found employment in traditionally male jobs but were often only being paid a fraction a man’s wage. Attempts to remedy the situation ended in defeat as women were repeatedly opposed by the male dominated unions and the government, afraid that women would expect equal treatment after the war.
The huge increase in employment of woman in World War 2 was a significant social change, but it was not matched by a change in government attitude towards women. Wages were not changed and it was made clear that women were expected to return to their traditional roles when the war ended.
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