Legality of Employment: Pioneering Women in the Romanian Civil Service (Late 19th Century – 1923)

Despite the prevailing legislation's stipulations, which rendered them ineligible due to the lack of two mandatory conditions - free exercise of civil and political rights and compliance with conscription laws – women began to be hired in the Romanian civil service in the latter decades of the 19^th century. Apart from teaching and medical staff in Romania, the Directorate of Telegraph and Post Office became the first institution to pay women in public service. However, until 1923, the authorities did not explicitly define their status as civil servants. As the state became more bureaucratized, pressure grew on women to secure employment. Meanwhile, the state benefited from better-trained female candidates, who accepted lower pay and were more compliant than their male counterparts. This article explores the current state of research on the topic, highlights key milestones in women’s employment as clerks in the Romanian state, traces the evolution of their numbers, and analyzes the discourse surrounding their roles, engagement, and visibility within the civil service.

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