THE FIGHT FOR THE VOTE

In the late 18th century, the pioneer feminist named Mary Wollstonecraft laid the foundation for a movement that would change Britain forever. In her book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, she argued that women deserved education and equality, boldly challenging a society that believed women were only fit for home and family life. Her ideas were radical for the time, but they planted a seed for future generations to fight for justice.

The 19th century brought slow but steady improvements for women’s rights. In 1839, the Infants Custody Act allowed mothers to petition for custody of their children in cases of separation – an astonishing step forward, as fathers had previously held all legal rights over children. Later, the Married Women’s Property Acts of 1870 and 1882 gave women control over their own earnings and property for the first time. These changes chipped away at the idea that a woman was merely her husband’s possession.

Amid these victories, some began asking a daring question: if women could have property rights, why couldn’t they vote? In 1832, a petition for women’s suffrage was presented to Parliament; although it was ignored, the idea refused to die. In 1867, the philosopher and MP John Stuart Mill argued passionately in Parliament that women deserved the vote; his proposal was defeated, but in 1869 the Municipal Franchise Act gave single women ratepayers the right to vote in local elections. By 1889, campaigners like Emmeline Pankhurst were forming groups like the Women’s Franchise League to demand the vote.

In 1897, Millicent Fawcett united smaller groups into the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). These women, known as suffragists, used peaceful methods like petitions and debates to win support. But progress was painfully slow. In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters decided to take a more radical approach. They formed the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), whose members became known as suffragettes. The suffragettes were determined to grab attention: they smashed windows, set fire to postboxes, and even chained themselves to railings. Their motto was “Deeds, not words.”

The government’s response was harsh. Suffragettes were arrested and sent to prison, where they protested by going on hunger strikes. In response, prison officials force-fed brutally; this shocking treatment gained public sympathy for their cause. To prevent women from becoming martyrs, the government introduced the Cat and Mouse Act in 1913 – it allowed hunger-striking women to be temporarily released to recover, only to be re-arrested later.

Between 1910 and 1912, Conciliation Bills were introduced in Parliament, proposing limited voting rights for women. Although these bills gained significant support, they were all defeated or sidelined, leaving campaigners angry but undeterred.

Then came the First World War. As men went to fight, women stepped into roles they had never held before – working in factories, driving ambulances, and managing farms. Their contributions proved beyond doubt that they were just as capable and responsible as men. Recognizing this, the government finally granted the vote to women over 30 in 1918 through the Representation of the People Act. It was a huge step forward but still not full equality.

The final victory came ten years later. In 1928, the Equal Franchise Act gave all women over 21 the same voting rights as men. After over a century of struggle, the dream of suffrage for all women was finally a reality. From Mary Wollstonecraft’s writings to the courage of the suffragettes, generations of women had fought tirelessly for their rights. Their story is one of determination, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph, proving that justice, no matter how long delayed, can be won..