I assume you mean a simile. A simile is a comparison made by using the words like or as: "Her hair was as gold as a lion's mane", "His beard was like tiny wires brushing her skin."
When asking a question, it's good to provide as much information as possible. If you can provide the paragraph in question, I can edit the answer to address your specific question.
Women were forced or obligated to leave their homes to do the work the men usually did most largelyand importantly the factories.
Which ever you need to use to communicate with other people