The impact of the war on women Downloaded from

Key points Before the war, the most common employment for a woman was as a domestic servant. However, women were also employed in what were seen to be suitable occupations e.g. teaching, nursing, office work.

Key points When war broke out in August 1914, thousands of women were fired from jobs in dressmaking, millinery and jewellery making.They needed work – and they wanted to help the war effort.

Key points Suffragettes stopped all militant action in order to support the war effort.

Key points At first, there was much trade union opposition and the employment of women had not increased significantly before the summer of In July 1915, a ‘Right to Work’,march was organised by a leading suffragette, Christabel Pankhurst.

Key points The shell shortage crisis in 1915 began to change the situation. Women were taken on to work in munitions factories. The government did a deal with the trade unions, known as the Treasury Agreements. The unions agreed to accept female labour in place of men ‘for the duration of the war’.

Key points The introduction of conscription in 1916 led to an increase in the number of women employed in all sectors of the economy.

Key points Many women were paid good wages, especially in munitions factories, but in most cases they were paid lower rates than men. Improved wages did permit greater independence for some women.

Key points Women became more visible in the world of work. They were seen to be doing important jobs.

Key points The armed forces also employed women, but the jobs were mainly of a clerical and domestic nature.

Key points Women were in great demand for the ‘caring’ side of employment and became nurses in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, and drivers and clerks in Voluntary Aid Detachments.

Historic Change ~ September 20, 1917 Military Voters Act is passed allowing women who are British Citizens with a close relative in the military to vote.

May 24 th 1918 – Prime Minister Borden passes a law extending the vote to: All non-native women are allowed to vote in federal elections

After the War 1Women were expected to give way to men returning from the forces and return to pre-war ‘women’s work’. 2The assumption that ‘a woman’s place is in the home’ returned. 3The percentage of women at work returned to pre- war levels. 4More women than before worked in offices.

After the War 5Shorter skirts and hair became fashionable. 6Women went out with men without a chaperone. 7Women smoked and wore make-up in public for the first time. 8In 1919: being female or married was no longer allowed to disqualify someone from holding a job in the professions or civil service.

Changes