Despite being delayed due to German occupation, France finally granted women the right to vote in April 1944, under the leadership of General Charles de Gaulle. This victory came after over 150 years of advocacy and struggles for women’s suffrage in the country. However, France lagged behind other European nations such as Finland, which granted women suffrage in 1906, setting a precedent for the rest of Europe. The fight for suffrage across the continent was marked by challenges, with suffragettes in the United Kingdom employing militant tactics to secure voting rights.
While many European nations embraced women’s suffrage early on, some notable exceptions existed. Greece delayed implementing equal voting rights until 1952, although literate women could participate in local elections since 1930. Switzerland’s journey towards gender equality in voting rights was gradual, with women gaining federal voting rights in 1971. Liechtenstein followed suit in 1984, marking a significant step towards gender inclusivity in politics. Italy saw a delay in women’s suffrage due to Fascism, with voting rights finally realized in 1945 after the Second World War, leading to women’s participation in the Institutional referendum and constituent Assembly elections.
In Spain, women gained the right to vote in 1933 under the Second Spanish Republic, which was short-lived due to Franco’s dictatorship after the Spanish Civil War. Women experienced a rollback of rights, although limited voting rights were retained, primarily in municipal elections. Dolores Pérez Lapeña won a municipal election in Valladolid in 1963, exemplifying women’s participation in local politics. It wasn’t until 1977, following Franco’s death, that women participated in national elections in Spain. France’s journey towards suffrage was marked by institutional resistance and political turmoil, with women finally securing the right to vote after World War II.
Despite the delayed progress in certain European nations towards women’s suffrage, the fight for gender equality in voting rights was a significant milestone across the continent. From the early victories in countries like Finland to the challenges faced by suffragettes in the United Kingdom, women’s voting rights have evolved over time. Despite setbacks due to Fascism in Italy and Franco’s dictatorship in Spain, women eventually gained full voting rights in these countries. The struggle for suffrage highlights the resilience and determination of women in Europe to secure their fundamental right to participate in the political sphere, shaping the course of democracy in the region. Today, women across Europe continue to advocate for gender equality and political representation, building upon the legacy of those who fought for suffrage in the past.
