Can women be accepted in 'non-traditional' roles? : a case study of white women in the South African Armed Forces, 1939-1965

M.A.1939-1965 were important years in the history of white South African women. These formative years laid the groundwork for their liberation and entry into the armed forces. The First World War saw the mobilisation of women in a war effort and opened up work opportunities previously unavailable to them. However it was the mass mobilisation of the Second World War which sealed the position of women, according to feminist thinking, not only in society but the military establishment as well. In 1931 women received the vote and citizenship, allowing them to become more politically and militarily involved in the nations' future. Although this process of women's liberation' appeared to be systematic, the limitations and prejudices experienced by them in a `non-traditional' roles proved to be disjointing. This became more blatant in the post-war years when women were socially, politically and economically dislocated. The armed forces appeared to provide the solution to this, although it went against the very fabric of a patriarchal society. In 1958 the Women's Defence Corps appeared to exist in name only. By 1965 an investigation was held to determine the possibilities of a Women's 'armed force'. Although this was eventually established some 15 years of insight, experience and facilities had been lost to the South African military