How Did Women Change Between The First And Second World War

Women’s rights and liberties have changed greatly throughout the years and there is no doubt that two of the most empowering events for women, were the First and Second World Wars. Canada sent 625,000 men to fight in World War I and 1.1 million men were sent again during World War II. The deployment of men, left large gaps on the home front, opening the door to women stepping into roles formerly occupied predominantly by men. They began to join the work force during this time, when supplies were most needed. As the number of women in employment dramatically increased, society began to see their value as they continued to carry out duties previously thought of as unsuitable for women. Throughout the adversity of the wars, which were cataclysmic events, the many female nurses gained a reputation for their kindness as they attended to the countless injured soldiers whose lives had been shattered. With each war, women gained large amounts of
Before the First World War, men indirectly ‘owned’ their wives and children. Women had virtually no rights, unable to vote, own land or even keep the money that they had earned. Up until 13 years before the beginning of the war, men were still permitted by law to beat their wives with sticks and lock them in rooms if they so wished. Women were invariably considered both legally and socially, an inferior counterpart.

Throughout the First World War, women joined the workforce as nurses, ambulance drivers and other positions previously reserved for men. One of the most crucial roles of women, was working in the factories as they proved to be very efficient with delicate and precise tasks. Comparatively, their pay was still only 53% of what the average male would make doing the