Women have historically been paid less than men for doing the same job. Although this is illegal in Ireland and in many countries throughout the world, the gender pay gap continues to exist.
The following scene is from the film Made in Dagenham, which is set in 1968 and follows the cause of female factory workers who were paid less than male employees. In this scene, Rita speaks to union members about the issue of equality for women who seek equal pay for equal work. She urges the male union members to support the women’s cause.
Made in Dagenham RITA
My best friend lost her husband recently. Durin’ the war he was a gunner in Fifty Squadron in the RAF. He got shot down one time ... on a raid to Essen and even though he managed to bail out, he was badly injured. I asked him once, why he’d joined the RAF and he said ... they got the best women ...
(Laughter in the hall. She nods, upset) Which they did ... Eddie stares at Rita RITA (CONT’D)
But then he said, you had to do somethin’. And he’d always wanted to go up in a plane ...
Her jaw tightens; she feels the cause start to fl ood through her veins. RITA (CONT’D)
You had to do somethin’ ... That was a given. ’Cause it was a matter of principle. You had to stand up; do what was right, ‘cause otherwise you wouldn’t be able to look yourself in the mirror.
