Women in World War IIWhen the Overseas War broke out in 1939, Canada was called to the front as part of the British Empire. The Canadian workforce was now severely depleted. Everyone remembers the prestigious men and women of Canada for their commitment to the war by helping the Allies defeat the German enemy. We must remember, however, that the Soldiers were not a self-sustaining Army, Navy, and Air Force, but rather part of the larger war machine that was Canada. When Canadians think about war they must remember the country that supported our soldiers in Europe. As Canadians we must especially remember the women who stayed home and contributed so much to holding the workforce together. Additionally, their volunteerism in society helped push Canada through the war. Temporarily taking on non-traditional roles in the workforce and society, Canadian women became an important part of the war effort from 1939 to 1945. In 1939, war broke out in Europe. Canada was still struggling to rebuild its economy after the depression of the 1930s. A large number of Canadian women have been affected both directly and indirectly. As more than a million of our full-time servicemen and militia crossed the seas to fight the war, many women were left home alone without a husband, son, brother, or other male relative. The Depression resulted in unemployment for more than 900,000 Canadians, 20% of whom were women. Military recruiting and the new war industry put an end to the Depression and the widespread unemployment that accompanied it. By 1941, the female population in the workforce had already increased by 100,000. Female employment was now very evident throughout almost all of Canada. Now, in retrospect, it is obvious that for the most part the Second World War divided Canadian men and women. But to fully understand this we must first know why men and women, in most aspects of the war, were given this sexual division. We must also have a clear vision of what was accepted and expected by men and women before the outbreak of war. From the first Native Canadians to today's industrialized society, men and women have had different gender roles in society. These have reflected the norms, values ​​and beliefs of our culture that have been present in Canada for as long as “the white man” has existed..