British Women’s Political Struggle during the Twentieth Century

Abstract

The aims of British women's political struggle during the 20th century were primarily to achieve equal rights, particularly the right to vote, as well as to ensure better representation of women in political and public institutions. They sought to transform laws regarding work, family, education and health in order to improve their social and economic status. This fight began with movements such as the suffragettes at the turn of the century and continued with the active participation of women in political parties, trade unions and pressure groups for gender equality. The conclusion of this struggle is that it resulted in important legislative changes, notably the right to vote for women in 1918 (and then in 1928 on an equal footing with men) and a greater presence of women in the political sphere, although inequalities still persist at certain levels.