Histoire de la lutte pour le droit fondamental

Suffragettes

English women won the right to vote at the age of 30 in 1918, and as from they were major of age in 1928, thanks to extraordinary women: the susfragettes, who passed through prison and hunger strike for it. The French women only got an equal right of men to vote in 1944 and the Belgian women in 1948.

The suffragettes owe their nickname, which aimes at ridiculing them, for their request to have the right to vote. In 1905, the Kenney sisters preferred prison than paying the fines claimed for having disturbed a political meeting of the Liberal party. Since they were to obey the laws, they said, they had the right to take part in their creation.

The polemic was illustrated by a workman returning home after a hard day's work, to find a complete mess and the children crying. The suffragettes were wounded at the time of demonstration and imprisoned. They made hunger strikes in prison. They were force-fed by nasal probe, with the technique to stuff geese and the assistance of other women. The English suffragettes won the right of women to vote as from the age of 30 in 1918, and at their majority in 1928.

HOME

History of the fight for Fundamental Rights (under construction)