During World War 1, the demand for women's work increased significantly as male workers left to fight in the military. This led to more opportunities for women in the workforce, and many factories, banks, schools and retail firms became heavily reliant on women workers.
Here are some of the key changes in women's life during World War 1:
1. Increased Employment Opportunities:
- With men at war, women replaced them in various traditionally male-dominated industries such as manufacturing, engineering, and transportation.
- Women working during World War 1 were known as "munitionettes" because of their essential role in the production of munitions.
2. Changes in Fashion:
- The traditional "corsetted silhouette" of the pre-war era was replaced by more practical and comfortable dresses and skirts.
- Women started wearing shorter skirts for ease of movement.
- Hats became smaller, and hairstyles became simpler.
3. Women's Suffrage Movement:
- The war effort gave women a chance to prove their capabilities, which further strengthened the women's suffrage movement.
- Several countries, including Britain and the US, granted women the right to vote shortly after the war.
4. Social Changes:
- As more women entered the workforce, it started to challenge the traditional roles of women in society.
- Women became more independent as they earned their income.
5. Post-war challenges:
- After the war, many of the newly created opportunities for women disappeared as men returned from the front.
- However, the war had opened the door for women to play a more significant role in society, and it paved the way for greater gender equality in the coming decades.