In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to do what?

On 19 September 1893 the governor, Lord Glasgow, signed a new Electoral Act into law. As a result of this landmark legislation, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections.

In most other democracies – including Britain and the United States – women did not win the right to the vote until after the First World War. New Zealand’s world leadership in women’s suffrage became a central part of our image as a trail-blazing ‘social laboratory’.

That achievement was the result of years of effort by suffrage campaigners, led by Kate Sheppard. In 1891, 1892 and 1893 they compiled a series of massive petitions calling on Parliament to grant the vote to women. In recent years Sheppard’s contribution to New Zealand’s history has been acknowledged on the $10 note.

More Info: nzhistory.govt.nz

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34 Comments

Doris Dallaire

They are so progressive in their thinking and I love their prime minister!

nzscubadiver

Kermit Stanton, important to have a look at your own countries vital statistics, homelessness, global leader in firearms atrocities and mass murder, racism is still prevalent, highest prison population in the world, rampant drug and alcohol issues across all sectors of population, lack of healthcare (it’s free in Nz). And generally an overinflated ego as a nation. I also suspect that whilst we may report our real issues it’s a better policy than being in denial and not reporting at all A few kids getting drunk and having babies is not an issue compared to kids going to school with guns to kill their schoolmates.

Morton Bartlett

Jana Hayward, ALL WOMAN!! Women's suffrage in New Zealand was an important political issue in the late nineteenth century. In early colonial New Zealand, as in European societies, women were excluded from any involvement in politics. Public opinion began to change in the latter half of the nineteenth century, however, and after years of effort by women's suffrage campaigners, led by Kate Sheppard, New Zealand became the first self-governing colony in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections.[1]

Rob Farr

They actually voted in November of 1893, but nevertheless they were the first nation on the planet to allow women to vote, freely and fairly ... that's our cousins across the ditch for you !!

Robert - Hunter Valley

But which Country insists that all its eligible Voters - VOTE. Thus being a SHAREHOLDER in the affairs of the Country. Clue -it is the land of the Golden Urn, or where its first Tuesday in November, hails the 3200m. Race, - Melbourne Cup.