Question

How did women enter the workforce in Canada in the 19th century? what did they do and what were the constrains on their participation? (300-400 words)

Answer 1

In 18^th Century, Canadian women faced a lot of discrimination in terms of employment as compared to men. Canadian women basically worked as domestic labours and there were differences in the wages of women and men..They were mostly involved in homemaker kind of job like servants , dressmakers etc. Many women were employed in small industries like shoe making and shirt making. Married women were not allowed to hold civil service jobs. However scenario got better for women in 19^th century as teaching was open for women in Canada and for the first time in the history of Canada, Canadian university hired women as professors. The employment rate in women was not improved in the early 19^th Century but there were changes in occupation as compared from 18th century. Women were also employed in munitions manufacturing units. For the first time , a woman was allowed to act as a judge in Canada and and Canadian women got the right to hold office in Parliament. In mid 19^th Century, restrictions imposed on married women to hold civil service jobs finally abolished and legislation was approved assuring equal pay for equal work to men and women. However there were few constraints in 19^th Century, women were legally forced to resign upon marriage. Pregnancy was one of the basis for laying-off women workers. There were no maternity leave existed for women in early 19^th Century. Pay differentials of men and women continued until mid of 19^th century despite of women working actively in labour force. At the end of the 19^th century , employment rate of the women improved and they made up almost half of the workforce. Women were also allowed to enter in politics. Many laws relating to maternity leave, social assistance and dismissal of women upon pregnancy were amended.