Women
The achievements of the woman’s movement in the post-WW2 period
1950's
- During this period woman where seen as and expected to be stay at home wives and mothers, whose prime concern was taking care of the family and their home. They where not permitted to work after marriage and had limited rights over property. They needed their husband’s permission to fly out of the country along with receiving medical surgery.
- Their homes where most commonly in the suburbs amongst other isolated housewives. They dressed conservatively
- Their opportunities were limited due to their ‘education’ up to the young age of 15 or 16. This included sewing, learning how to care for your husband and cooking.
- By the age of 30, women where expected to have 2 or 3 children.
- Those that where in the workforce only received 75% of a males wage for the same amount of work.
- Many different factors enforced this role, one being the media. Magazines such as the Woman’s Day encouraged the derogative image of a woman. They reasoned their readers that their role was to be a happy, caring wife and mother. As there was a lack of entertainment for women who spend much time by themselves, magazines such as these where popular leading woman to believe that their role was reasonable and suitable.
- Other factors supporting a woman’s place in society where religion, patterns of paid employment, education, social tradition and certain laws.
1960's
- The feminist movement began, but not on a large scale, as woman were beginning to demand equal rights. These included politically, socially and economically. At this time these feminists were protesting in a still very conservative society.
- Fashion became relevant in the 60s in terms of woman. Jean Shrimpton shocked worldwide society when turning up to the 1965 Melbourne Cup in a short shift dress, with uncovered sleeves, no hat or gloves, hair untied and no stockings. Many found this insulting but looking back on the incident the British supermodel says
- Models such as Twiggy who heightened in 1966, prompted women into wearing more make up and following a less conservative way of dressing. She also began a fad of skinniness. Statements like these again added to the evidence of change in the woman’s image.
- There was a change in female’s attitudes to sex in the 60s. The contraceptive pill was introduced in 1961, marking the first time women where able to have some sort of control over their sexual activity and able to plan for families.
- Avon and Tupperware allowed woman who did not have an adequate education the opportunity to sell their products, usually done in the household.
- In 1961 only 21% of the workforce where women. Many women did begin to work after marriage, this was frowned upon as it was seen to be taking jobs from men.
- In 1966 the commonwealth government allowed woman to continue employment after being married.
- Schooling was also improved as more subjects where offered and girls where encouraged to stay for longer.
- In 1969 Zelda D’Aprano, who completed the first widely acknowledged protest, began the renowned women’s liberation movement.
- Also in 1969 the equal pay case was conducted, with the federal government deciding that women should receive the same wage as men for the equal amounts of work.
1970's
- This era prompted women to start questioning their traditional role and place in society. Protesters were looking for reform in areas of equal pay, maternity leave, equal opportunities, the right to abortion and affordable and quality childcare.
- Woman’s Action Committee was formed,
- ‘The female Eunuch” by Germaine Geer was released in 1970 and added fuel to the feminist fire while being an inspiration to those involved in the movement.
- At this stage woman were fighting to overcome stereotypes and therefore abolish the idea of male dominance. They wanted woman to ask themselves what was their relationship with males and how they could create change.
- Woman where becoming more victimized in terms of domestic violence. They where beginning to seek help and Elsie was established by a group of committed women, a house/ refuge in which woman involved in some sort of domestic violence could stay. There was over 100 over all capital cities.
- Woman began to enter the workforce in roles such as teaching, nursing, hairdressing and clerical work.
- In 1972 the equal pay for equal work
- Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) was formed in 1972, just before Whitlam’s successful election.
- In 1973 the Maternity leave Act was passed allowing woman 12 weeks paid leave and 42 weeks leave without pay.
- 1975 was marked as International Woman’s year after the success of the WEL
- In 1976 the Family Law Act was passed allowing a divorce after 12 months of separation. Women still not able to date others for 12 months must fight for custody over their children. This was extremely hard to achieve as married woman did not usually have well paying jobs, if any.
1980's
- Time of economic downturn and women were again blamed for taking away male jobs, though on average they where only receiving 85% of a males wage.
- As a response to this in 1983 the National Wage Case came to the conclusion that women where underpaid and that the economy could not afford to pay them equal pay.
- 1984, Sexual Discrimination Act. Illegal to discriminate against individuals on the grounds of sex, marital status or pregnancy
- 1986 the Affirmative Action Act was made as an identification and attempt to decrease the barriers in which woman faced. It took into consideration issues such as inflexible work hours and limited opportunities while recognizing gender stereotypes. This act created a bad name for the term ‘feminism’
- During the 80s woman where becoming more involved in the arts, film and literature. Mary Gouldron was appointed as the fist female judge in the high court.
1990's
- During this era women continued focus on workplace rights. Many women carried the double burden of an unpaid domestic role and a job in the paid workforce, this was seen to limit opportunities. This restriction caused woman to continue to be financially dependent.
- In the mid 1990s, in Australia the female and male job segregation in the workforce was at the highest level compared to any other developed nation.
- The idea of ‘Sticky floors and glass ceilings’ demonstrated woman being unable to progress in their careers despite being able to see the higher, and aspiring, positions.
- In the workforce woman still faced direct and indirect discrimination.
- Men continue to dominate senior positions and it was proven that many would be reluctant to promote a woman who has children.
- Indigenous and migrant women faced similar issues when looking for junior management roles.
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The experiences of women’s liberationists in the post WW2 period
Zelda D’Aprano
- Key figure and the somewhat founder of the women’s liberation movement.
- She looked into the protest and experiences of historical women and acted upon her research.
- In 1969 she chained herself to the doors of the Commonwealth Building in Melbourne in protest for equal pay.
- In 1970 she was involved in the formation of the Women’s Action Committee, which again was heavily influential in the whole movement.
- In January 2004 Zelda was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) as a result and recognition of her effective campaigning in support of women’s issues, especially in the workplace.
Helen Reddy
- Wrote, sung and released in 1972, the international hit song I Am Woman.
- This piece became almost a theme song for the women’s liberation movement as it was released around the time the movement was in full force.
- Helen herself was a proclaimed feminist and the release and success of the song gave much promotion to the issue in which this group of people where fighting for.
- When accepting a Grammy Award in 1973 for the hit song, Helen made a direct reference to god, ‘Because SHE makes everything possible’.
- I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman
Germaine Geer
- Geer was a well-educated woman who is a renowned writer, academic and broadcaster. Her most renowned publication was The Female Eunuch (TFE).
- TFE was released in 1972, around the beginning of the women’s liberation movement in Australia. It questioned the accepted stereotypical view of women and their role in society while urging them to seek rights. It also criticized the male dominant society, painting woman as victims.
- She saw marriage as a form of slavery and attempted to deconstruct the woman stereotype.
- All the themes Geer addresses in her book where extremely shocking and controversial in the relatively conservative society.
- By publishing this book Geer became a spokesperson and key figure in the fight for woman’s rights
WEL
- Women’s Electoral Lobby formed in February 1972, as a result of 10 women meeting to discuss ways of influencing and therefore gaining from the national election in which was to happen in December.
- They compiled a survey to establish the current attitudes of the politicians towards women’s issues. These surveys showed that politicians at a national level did not either take women seriously or understand their issues. These findings where published in the National Magazine.
- Membership of the WEL skyrocketed as more survey results were released showing this attitude.
- Labor party began to notice active women and paid particular attention to these issues. This lead to their victory in the election.
- In 1973 the first WEL national conference was held and 400 women attended, proving again that women wanted change.
- WEL attracted media attention to promote themselves such as when marching outside the Victoria Parliament building with condoms on sticks to legalize contraception.
- WEL was one of the most successful organizations under the women’s liberation movement. Continued to achieve reforms under health and childcare, encouraged women to get involved .
