100 years ago (some) British women got the vote

Today marks 100 years since some British women were first guaranteed the right to vote. More than 1,300 suffragette women were arrested according to the England, Suffragettes Arrested, 1906-1914 collection. Many went on to be jailed, including leader Emmeline Pankhurst. Their fight was justified though when on February 6, 1918, the Representation of the People Act passed. It allowed women over 30 with certain property qualifications to vote.

1928 however was the year that under the Equal Franchise Act, women in the UK were granted equal voting rights. This increased the number of eligible female voters from 8 million to 15 million.

The main player was Emmeline Pankhurst, she was a founding member of the Women’s Social and Political Union. Pankhurst didn’t achieve it alone though. Emily Davison was killed at Epsom racecourse when she threw herself infront of the king’s horse during the fight for women’s suffrage.  Christabel Pankhurst was known as the Queen of the Mob and Millicent Fawcett was president of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies before the suffrage movement.

So, what is the situation today? Even though some women in the UK have been casting their ballots for 100 years, female politicians remain a minority in elected positions of power. Women still only make up 32% of the total 650 members of Parliament. There has been significant progress however. In 2015 the total number of women to become MPs in history surpassed the number of males in single Parliament.

Globally, the UK ranks 38th for female representation in parliament. The United States is 99th, with women making up less than 20% all lawmakers. Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Sweden follow at the top, according to the International Organization of Parliaments.

You can celebrate this significant day by visiting Trafalgar Square where a collection of life-size images of some of the most badass suffragettes will pop up, part of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s #BehindEveryGreatCity campaign celebrating women’s contributions to the capital.  You can listen to historian Katherine Connelly uncover inspiring stories of working class women tomorrow at the Bishopsgate Institute or even  attend a panel discussion. Laura Coryton, founder of Stop Taxing Periods, Dr Jacqui Turner, Dr Naomi Paxton, and Nimco Ali, will question whether violence wins rights at the National Army Museum. 

We are committing, are you? Let us know in the comments below. 

Related Topics:

Ireland is having a referendum over its abortion law 

How the Time’s Up movement affects you 

Emma Watson has penned an open letter to discuss white feminism

 

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