The changes occurred in the late 1960s (the decade of protest) when women began to challenge the idea of “a woman’s place is in the home”, which created the women’s liberation movement. This was when women fought to increase the awareness of their restricted opportunities that denied their equalities. They fought for equal pay, equality in education, representation in parliament, anti-discrimination and general social standing.
Women’s participation in the workforce increased by 31% between 1939 and 1943 as women found work in factories and farms and were able to take up positions in country areas as teachers and nurses. However, opportunities for women were restricted by the numbers of men enlisting and the rate of expansion of manufacturing and war-generated industries.
The introduction of contraceptive pills in 1961 meant reliable birth control. This allowed women more control of their life and provided them with opportunities to gain economic independence by entering paid employment. However the wage discrimination was an issue.
Before war, women were earning only 54% of a man’s wage for doing the same work. In 1949 the female basic wage was put at 75% if a man’s. In 1969, female workers took a case to Australian Industrial Relations Commission, which decided that women should receive equal pay to men when they are proven to do the same work. By the early 21st century, women have made significant gains in area of equal pay. However, there is still work to be done.
In 1969, Zelda D’Aprano, a noted woman for her protesting against the Commonwealth Arbitration Commission’s failure to achieve equal pay for women chained herself to the doors of The Commonwealth bank in Melbourne. In 1970, along with other women, she formed the Women’s Action Committee, which was a forerunner of the women’s liberation movement.
One of the most effective voice is Women’s liberation was the women’s electro lobby (WEL). Lead by feminist Beatrice Faust in 1972. WEL has been one of the most effect groups in the promotion of women rights. It had pushed governments to pass laws friendly to women in areas such as child care, family planning and women’s health.
A particular problem was for women being discriminated in the workplace. Many initiatives were put in place to ensure the equal balance between women and men. The anti-discrimination act in 1977 made it illegal to discriminate based on gender and marital status. This included health, work, law, improved educational opportunities and welfare. The introduction of the family Law act 1975 meant no fault divorce, and the Sex discrimination act 1984 made it illegal to discriminate women in any form.
Throughout 1970s to early 1990s Australia was slowly beginning to change for women. The Government took positive steps of introducing changes that supported women equality throughout Australia.
There are different views about how much impact the women's liberation movement has had on Australia. There is more recognition about violence against women but the violence has not necessarily decreased. Women have more choice over reproduction than they did until the 1960s. Women have been able to reach high positions in politics, the professions and business. It is, however, far more difficult for women to attain these positions than it is for men. Laws attempting to create equal pay and equal opportunity for women do not automatically ensure these things for women. Women's and men's roles in the home have changed little despite the women's movement. Education has improved in terms of female/male equality. Overall there are greater possibilities for women now but there are still proportionately fewer women in key positions in the Australian workforce.
