Feminism: Describe the Women' Movement in Australia between the 1970's and 1990's.

The wheels for women's movement started rolling in the United States of America in the year 1967. The main objective that the political and social movement was trying to achieve was to gain equality between men and women in society. As the movement began, people directly involved were known as the "women's libbers" which really meant the Women's liberationists. They were classified as women's liberationists because they wanted to liberate women doe their stereotype, traditional roles and restrictions. In simple terms they believed women should be treated equally to men, and be able to do what they desire. The movement planned to change women's views, by allowing them to stand up for what they believed in. The movement proved to be successful getting through to some women. As a result, a number of women decided they were no longer willing to obey the authority given down by their husbands or fathers.

Woman aircraft worker, Vega Aircraft Corporation, ...

Australian author and feminist Germaine Greer at t...

Germaine Greer

One of the main ideas behind the whole campaign was that both men and women, had to forget their sexist upbringings and accept that the world was changing.

However by 1970 a very important book was written by Germaine Greer called 'the female Eunuch'. This book played a very big role in making it possible for the movement to succeed, for it really got through to a number of women, causing them to stand up for themselves. Also women's career choices were still highly limited and discrimination was still being used on the following factors - pregnancy, sex and martial status. At the time it was unbelievable to imagine women being labourers, heavy equipment operators or even pilots and the fact of women being in charge of men was just a joke.

The women's liberation party then decided it was time for direct action to be taken if they...