Women and War

The Impact of War on Women’s Lives

War affected women and changed their lives in many ways, from their expectations of a family life and the work they did, to their feelings and actions about war and peace.

The three modules below explore these issues and look at women's experience of war.

	We know a lot about men’s experience of war. It has usually been male politicians or dictators who have reacted to events and conflict or fought on the frontline as generals and soldiers. However women have not just been passive spectators. Some were fighters - Boudecia physically led battles against Roman invaders and Margaret Thatcher instigated a military campaign against the Falklands. Many ordinary women have contributed to war in practical ways. In the First and Second World Wars women’s efforts at home, in the emergency services and in industry were essential to victory. Women have also been inspired to campaign for peace - suffragettes Sylvia Pankhurst and Isabella Ford formed the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom in 1915 and Catherine Thackery was a prominent campaigner for CND in the 1980’s.

Test your knowledge in the quiz!