Australian women had a major role in World War II. With so many men conscripted to go to war, Women had to take on roles they had never taken on before. Women were encouraged to stand by their husbands and support them in the war. They were encouraged to feel proud that their husbands were fighting for their country and to feel a sense of patriotism.
With so many men away at war, there was a shortage of labour. So, with the shortage, women took on hard labour jobs, such as welding and agricultural jobs. Before the war, it was generally expected that a working man was the main provider for his family. So, any woman who took a job was somehow taking it from a man who needed it to support his family. The women had to replace the men temporarily to keep the country on its feet; Agricultural jobs were essential for providing troops with food and other supplies.
Women were extremely important for the troops overseas as they provided all of their supplies.
Thousands of women also joined women auxiliary services such as the WAAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force) and the AAMWS (Australian Army Medical Women’s Unit), but these forces were not for combat. The government was determined that these auxiliary services would not serve outside of Australian soil. Although later on, they had to send some Women overseas, they performed jobs such as enemy aircraft gunners and manning observation posts. Many women also joined the Australian Women’s Land Army, which comprised of agricultural jobs.
Women also joined volunteer groups such as the Red Cross to help gain donations and gain more supplies and necessities for the troops overseas.
Ordinarily, Women were discouraged to join any form of military service, but with high demands, women were then able to do jobs that men ordinarily did. They built tanks, made weapons, ammunition and many other things.
Women had a lot on their plate during World War 2. They had to take on jobs that were previously what their husbands would have been doing, as well as maintaining a household and perhaps even a family.