The subject of whether women should be allowed to participate in combat has undeniably been a subject of debate across generations and cultures. Even till present day some dispute remains on whether women should be in combat, especially in third world countries. First traces of women involvement can be traced back to the first World War where women took part in traditional roles such as nurses, seamstresses and cooks in camp. Fast forward to present day, women are now active participants in military warfare, both in combat and non-combat roles. In this article, I will be doing a historical timeline of how women’s duties and responsibilities have evolved in Canada in respect to participation in military combat.
It is acknowledged that women made significant advances throughout World War I. Both domestically and abroad, women were essential in a variety of important jobs. While their husbands and children were in war, women had to stand up to preserve civilization. Over 30,000 more women entered the labor market as a result of the lack of men in it. A significant turning point in history was the occurrence of women pursuing careers outside the house. First-ever formal voting rights in a Canadian federal election were granted in 1917 to particular classes of women under the Wartime Elections Act, including those who had close military associations. By 1918, all Canadian women were granted the right to cast a vote. The state highlighted the dignity and honor that go along with individuals who enlist to persuade women to permit their husbands and children to do the same. In Canada, women were the focus of widespread propaganda in the shape of posters urging "all able-bodied men to enlist." In addition, women who worked in foreign operations assumed the position of nurses and were referred to as "blue birds" or "nursing sisters" because of their "blue dresses and white veils.” They treated injured troops in Canada, England, France, Belgium, Russia, and other countries around the region of the Mediterranean. During the First World War, important steps were taken to give women greater flexibility beyond the home, but they were still a long way from achieving the same equality as males.
A significant turning point in history was the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, which spurred an uprising enthusiasm of nationalism, especially among women. Thousands of nurses rushed to enlist as the conflict got more intense (Chenier, 2006). Female positions within the Canadian military expanded significantly in 1941 when the country diligently sought out women to work full-time within three recently formed military corporations: the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service, the Women's Army Corps, and the Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division. A German missile on the SS Caribou ferry in October 1942 claimed the life of Agnes W. Wilkie, a nursing sister, making her the first female victim of the war. At the same time, a broad appeal for participation struck a chord with hundreds of thousands of women domestically, encouraging them to enter the labour and contribute significantly to keeping the conflict's endeavour going. The high demands of the war led to scarcity of necessities for the civilian side, causing the allocation of resources. Nevertheless, women made use of their personal abilities to support Canadian soldiers, creating winter apparel for them. During this time, women's extensive contributions to the war effort were brought to attention. These contributions included their formal military positions as well as their roles in the larger social environment, where their abilities, commitment, and fortitude was crucial.
Many events occurred in the subsequent years, notably the Korean War (1950-53), as well as significant developments in career opportunities for women. In the 1950s, the rights of women were severely restricted; while they were able to vote, they were not permitted to possess assets or enter into contracts. The feminist movement began to take shape in the 1960s, and as a consequence, women's sovereign rights became gradually acknowledged, leading to the opening of new positions for them. The Royal Commission on the Status of Women made recommendations for reforms to the armed forces in 1970 with the goal of ensuring equitable treatment for all, particularly for women serving in the Canadian Forces. In the 1970s, a large number of women got their degrees from Military College, following this example. When the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was ratified in 1982, segregation against women was outlawed, changing the course of history for women. Women were becoming more and more incorporated into the labour force at this point, and the armed forces was no exception. Although combat occupations remained closed, women were gaining greater opportunities as a result of the recognition of many of their rights.
From that point on, female involvement in military operations underwent a revolutionary change, with the parameters provided by the 1989 Canadian Human Rights Commission verdict. With two exceptions—serving on submarines and as Catholic chaplains— the outcome said that barriers for women to pursue any type of military employment must be eliminated. Following this decision, Private Heather Erxleben made history as Canada's first female infantry soldier, shattering gender stereotypes and launching a new age of diversity throughout the armed services. In the crucial era of the Gulf War, which occurred just two short years later, a momentous break from precedent took place. By defying expectations and demonstrating their ability on the battlefield's front lines, women took on combat-oriented positions throughout battle for the first time. In the years that followed, there was a consistent upward trend in the number of women holding significant positions, such as Chief, Colonel, and Lieutenant. According to data from the Canadian government from 2011, women made about 15% of the Canadian armed forces, with over 7,900 operating in the regular armed forces and over 4,800 in the main reserves . However, since 2011, development has been gradual. As of May 2023, the proportion of women in military positions has shifted upward by a modest 1.5%, resulting in a 16.48% share in Regular Force and Primary Reserve roles. This little shift highlights the need for continual efforts to promote diversity, equal opportunity, and varied representation in the defence industry. It also illustrates the ongoing road towards a more equitable gender balance among the Canadian military.
In conclusion, Canadian women's changing positions in the armed forces reflect an ever-changing path characterized by resiliency, advancement, and the unwavering quest of equality between men and women. Through their involvement in conventional positions throughout World War I in the beginning of the 20th century and the revolutionary Canadian Human Rights Commission verdict in 1989, women have broken down boundaries and made significant contributions to their country's defence. The rise of feminism in the 1960s, the broadening of responsibilities during World War II, and the 1970 guidelines of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women all had a significant impact on how women's prospects were shaped. During the Gulf War in the early 1990s, women broke down barriers and demonstrated their ability by taking on combat positions. This was a historic occasion. The path towards complete equal treatment for men and women persists albeit limitations, as evidenced by the 16.48% involvement in military occupations as of May 2023. The aforementioned data highlight the significance of sustained endeavours to promote inclusion, parity of opportunity, and varied inclusion in the Canadian military, guaranteeing that women will persist in fulfilling crucial responsibilities in the defence and prosperity of the country.
Summary Points
The article chronicles the development of women's involvement in the Canadian military across time, emphasising significant turning points from World War I to the present.
During World War I, women made significant contributions by entering the labor market and obtaining the right to vote, paving the way for further developments.
Following World War II, women's rights were severely curtailed; however, in the 1960s and 1970s, the feminist movement and the endorsements established by the Royal Commission on the Status of Women significantly improved women's rights.
The first female infantry soldier and other historic milestones were made possible by the 1989 Canadian Human Rights Commission verdict, which cleared the path for the removal of obstacles preventing women from serving in the military.
Women made up 16.48% of the Canadian military as of May 2023, highlighting the continued need for consistent pursuit of achieving increased gender equity and diversity.
References
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McKenzie, J. L. (2018, November 7). Only nurse killed by enemy action in WW II remembered as a 'warm, gentle' hero in Misericordia exhibit. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/agnes-wilkie-only-nurse-killed-wwii-1.4895856
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