Australian Women's History

Australia has a long and proud women's history, ranging from recently canonised Mary MacKillop to former Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman. From women being given the vote in 1902 to the present, women have carved their place in the nation's history and have achieved many great things in a variety of fields.

The beginnings of the women's movement in Australia occurred in the late 1800's and was primarily concerned with the women's suffrage (right to vote). Over time other areas of social inequality were focused on and in the 1960's the modern Women's Liberation Movement were looking to raise awarness on the matters of inequlaity towards women in the home and workplace as well as sexual harrassment and rape within marriage (which was still common in the 1950's and 1960's). These focuses have not much changed over time and today, although things have improved exponentially, the Women's Movement in Australia continues to seek true equality for women and set an example for the rest of the world.