ADVERTISEMENT

British PM leads tributes on centenary of women winning right to vote

Campaigners meanwhile hope to make fresh calls for Suffragettes who were jailed while fighting to win the vote for women to be pardoned posthumously.

In a speech in Manchester -- the birthplace of Suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst -- May will honour the women who "transformed British democracy."

The Fawcett Society, a British charity campaigning for gender equality and women's rights, are among those urging the country's interior minister Amber Rudd to officially pardon more than 1,000 women jailed during their struggle for equality.

Calls for pardon

ADVERTISEMENT

Relatives of the Suffragettes, as well as leading lawmakers including Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservative leader, have backed the calls.

"Voting was a value judgment, not an intrinsic right," she wrote in Tuesday's the Daily Telegraph.

"That inequality is one of the reasons why I support calls to offer a posthumous pardon to those Suffragettes charged with righting that wrong."

Rudd told the BBC she was aware of the campaign and "completely understand where it's coming from."

Britain's Suffragettes adopted militant tactics in their fight for the vote, including the use of violence.

ADVERTISEMENT

They chained themselves to railings, broke shop windows and blew up post boxes as part of their fight. They cut electricity lines, disrupted meetings and even bombed the house of a government minister.

"It is complicated," Rudd said. "If you're going to give a legal pardon for things like arson and violence it's not straightforward."

'Heroic, tireless struggle'

Organisers of an evening reception to launch a year-long "Vote 100" series of Suffragette events and exhibitions in Westminster have invited every living current and former female lawmaker.

It will be the largest-ever gathering of Britain's women politicians, organisers believe.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I look forward to joining hundreds of female Parliamentarians, past and present, to celebrate this very special anniversary," May said ahead of the event.

"Everyone attending tonight will be there because of the heroic, tireless struggle of those who came before us."

In parliament's spectacular central lobby four historic acts of law will go on display together for the first time.

They include the Representation of the People Act, the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918, which allowed women to become MPs, the Equal Franchise Act 1928, which gave women the vote on the same terms as men, and the Life Peerages Act 1958, which allowed women to sit in the Lords as life peers.

'Real equality' still elusive

ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile a specially-commissioned public exhibition to mark the centenary, featuring life-sized images of central figures of the suffrage movement, was unveiled in London's Trafalgar Square.

This year marks 100 years since parliament passed the law which allowed the first women, and all men, to vote for the first time.

On February 6, 1918, the Representation of the People Bill became law and added to the voting roll around eight million women who were aged over 30 and met other conditions.

Although it was not until 1928 that British women gained the same voting rights as men, the 1918 act was a major step that put the country far ahead of nations such as France.

A century later the ideals of equality are resonating again in the global wave of sexual harassment allegations seen in recent months, a leading academic has told AFP.

ADVERTISEMENT

"In both cases, it's a discussion of equality," Myriam Boussahba-Bravard, a professor of women's history and gender studies at Paris Diderot University, said ahead of Tuesday's anniversary.

"The right to vote gave formal equality... But the question now is real equality," Boussahba-Bravard said, adding: "The Suffragettes... knew this."

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT