How Did The Second World War Affect Australian Women

The Second World War greatly impacted the lives and everyday roles of Australian women from 1939 onwards. Women’s roles changed greatly and this had an impact on how society saw women in the workforce. During the war, women were encouraged to get a job as this was considered joining in on the war effort. Women were able to fill positions they had not been allowed to apply for, as they were previously thought to be male jobs. During the war, there was a major increase the amount of women in the workforce and armed forces. World War Two marked a significant change in the way women were seen in the workforce and completely changed the social and gender structure of the labour force.
During the Second World War when Australia became under a more
direct threat, men were sent overseas to help in the main battles in Europe and the Pacific. Women were encouraged to hold a job as this was considered assisting in the war effort. Propaganda posters like Rosie the Riveter (see source 1) were popular advertisements during the war aimed at women. Propaganda like this showed women in work uniform and looking masculine. They usually contained memorable or encouraging slogans inspiring women to get a job. Women were urged to get a job as before the war, the workforce was dominated by men. When the men went off the fight overseas, there was no one left to fill these jobs. These once thought masculine jobs filled by women show that the war changed the roles of these Australian women.