This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
The right to vote is a fundamental aspect of democracy, yet it was a privilege denied to women in many countries for centuries. The journey toward suffrage has been long and arduous, with each nation taking its own path to recognizing women’s right to vote. This article explores the year women gained the vote in various countries, highlighting key milestones and notable latecomers. To visualize this journey, we have included a map of the world showing when women in each country achieved this crucial right.
The world map below created by cubaholidays.co.uk provides a visual representation of the global timeline for women’s suffrage. It highlights both early adopters and those who recognized women’s voting rights more recently.
Early Pioneers
New Zealand (1893): New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to grant all women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. This groundbreaking decision set a precedent and inspired other nations to follow suit.
Australia (1902): Shortly after New Zealand, Australia granted women the right to vote at the federal level, although Indigenous women (and men) were excluded until much later.
Finland (1906): Finland was the first European country to grant women full suffrage, allowing them to both vote and stand for election.
Significant Milestones
United States (1920): The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, prohibiting states and the federal government from denying the right to vote based on sex.
United Kingdom (1918 and 1928): Initially, the UK granted limited suffrage to women over 30 in 1918. Full suffrage, on equal terms with men, was achieved in 1928.
France (1944): French women had to wait until the end of World War II to gain the right to vote, with the first elections they could participate in held in 1945.
Notable Latecomers
Switzerland (1971): Surprisingly late to the suffrage movement, Swiss women only gained the right to vote at the federal level in 1971. Some cantons granted local voting rights even later.
Portugal (1976): After the Carnation Revolution, Portugal’s new constitution guaranteed women the right to vote.
Saudi Arabia (2015): Saudi women were granted the right to vote in 2011, but the first time they could actually exercise this right was in the 2015 municipal elections. This marked a significant step in a country known for its conservative stance on women’s rights.
The Road to Equality
The fight for women’s suffrage was not just about the right to vote; it was about achieving broader equality and recognition of women’s rights in all aspects of life. While many countries have made significant progress, the struggle for gender equality continues.
