Gender

From the late 1960s the second wave of feminism sought to empower women beyond their traditional roles and to politicise previously private issues such as sexual assault and domestic violence. Badges from the museum’s collection encompass the broad range of issues arising out of gender inequalities, including equal pay, women in leadership roles, women’s reproductive rights and advocacy by organisations such as the Women’s Electoral Lobby. The badges also document the ways in which women have protested against war and celebrated peace.