World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945, with the majority of battles taking place overseas. Once Australia became heavily involved, more than 200,000 women joined various workforces. While at first women felt powerless in the war from home, by making this effort it ultimately meant that more men could be sent to the front to fight. The war had devastating consequences in every corner of the world, but among the physical difficulties women faced, there were positive effects; women have progressed economically while gaining social recognition. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay In July 1942, one of the first women's war organizations was formed in an effort to address the manpower shortage. of the country, Australian Women's Land. Army (AWLA). The introduction of such an association allowed women to experience the positive effects of the war professionally, which translated into an improvement in the economic side of life, with women developing their economic independence. Women's role at home meant that more men could be sent to war while Australia's workforce did not suffer. Initially, women were denied the opportunity to contribute to the war effort, with the idea that men's wages would be reduced, but as Australia was further affected and demand for supply increased, the government slowly allowed their support. Women acquired many skills in professions in which they had never been able to practice before benefiting from post-war work opportunities. Women began working in observation posts and as anti-aircraft gunners, drivers, mechanics and radio operators. Women not only challenged the stereotypes of work that were prevalent around them, but they also demanded equal pay because they were doing the work of a skilled man receiving less than that of an unskilled man. This was not the first time that debates had taken place on salaries, but this time results were obtained with agreement in certain sectors of activity for equal pay between the sexes based on the 'job. The campaign for equal pay between the sexes had been going on for some time before World War II, but it was not until the late 1940s that women's wages began to be set on a scale that allowed at not less than 60% of a man's salary to benefit from all salaries. up to 100%, an increase from the average salary of 50%. The WEB (Womens Employment Board) would rarely fall below 90%. Even when measures have been implemented and some women have performed their jobs better than men, prejudices persist about equal pay and job opportunities for women: “The suggestion of forming an army of women to do the hard work of the farms is ridiculous. » . - L'Argus, 1941. The number of female paid workers increased by almost 50% from 1939 to 1943 and represented almost a third of the workers. Not only that, but the number of women participating in the workforce, and ultimately the war effort, continued to increase while the level of male participation fell. The decrease in the number of male workers meant a greater variety in the work done by women. During the few years of the war, the most active industries were those which.