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The Women 's Suffrage Movement Essay

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Women’s Suffrage Movement On the 19th of September, 1893, New Zealand women experienced a monumental change in political status when the right to vote in parliamentary elections was extended to them. Prior to this it was only men who were permitted to vote. Intense protest against such came at full force in the late 19th century, from women who were seeking political and legal reforms. Achieving franchise for women was the primary focus of the first wave of feminism in New Zealand. This was of massive importance because it was the first major step in achieving gender equality in New Zealand. The suffragists directly opposed and managed to rid New Zealand of a manifestation of the prevalent gender-based discrimination that women have dealt with throughout history. The idea that women should be barred from participating in the political sphere while men are able to is seriously misogynistic. When voting, people elect representatives who will make laws and policies that will govern their lives; it is the opportunity to put forward an opinion which could aid in solving the issues that an individual cares about. To deny women this right is to say that women’s beliefs and opinions have basically no worth. Enfranchisement, (as a result of extensive campaigning by suffragists) was recognition of the fact that women’s ideas are just as valid as men’s. This event is also significant as gaining the vote was an instigator for more feminist development, like the second wave of feminism

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