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SocietyOceania and Australia

Women win the vote

Sep 13, 1893 – Feb 6, 1971

New Zealand first in 1893, Switzerland last in Europe in 1971

See it on the timeline

In depth

The campaign was fought with petitions, civil disobedience and hunger strikes, and met fierce resistance — from women as well. The world wars hastened the change, because women had taken over the work that kept societies running. Norway was among the early ones, with full suffrage in 1913, and was the first sovereign country to introduce it by parliamentary decision.

For children

New Zealand was the first country where women could vote in national elections. Country after country followed through the twentieth century. In Switzerland women got the vote only in 1971.

Connects to

Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org