On the centenary of 1918 suffrage act, we update you on activities around the country, and discuss current goals for women’s rights
Today marks 100 years since some women won the right to vote in the UK. But how long did it take the UK and other countries around the world to grant universal suffrage?
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There was a dance performance in Victoria station this morning organised by various groups including the National Archives.
The event took place where renowned suffragette Emily Davison took the now infamous journey to Epsom race course in 2013, when she walked onto the track during the race.
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In the central lobby of parliament, where female MPs and peers gathered for the group photo earlier, inside a glass case is not just the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which allowed some female votes for the first time. There are also two other significant acts in terms of female representation.
Also on display is the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, from 1918 as well, which for the first time allowed women to stand as MPs.
Finally, there is the Life Peerages Act, which in ending the monopoly of hereditary peers in the Lords, meant women could join the upper house for the first time. This was only passed in 1958 – 40 years after the first women got the vote.
Groups of schoolchildren on tours were being shown the acts, with their significance explained. One group which had just been shown around the House of Lords had their mind on other things. “That gold throne in there,” one boy asked their guide, “how much would it cost?”
Another roundup from Twitter on today’s activities.
"I think we should say Miss Fookes is the most gorgeous redhead" - Fifty years after women first won the vote and the right to stand for Parliament, Janet (now Baroness) Fookes had to put up with this on election night 1970. #votesforwomen #Vote100 @UKVote100 @UKParliament pic.twitter.com/gIOtnqsHst
— Martyn Oates (@bbcmartynoates) February 5, 2018
Important to remember today that only 40% of women were given the vote 100 years ago. Took another ten years for working class women to get the same rights. #suffrage100 #vote100 pic.twitter.com/ax3u35r5TN
— Kate Proctor (@KateProctorES) February 6, 2018
Women have broken many barriers over last 100 yrs (especially in leading medical bodies). Last male bastion to break into is @TheBMA (in nearly 200 year history never had a women as its Chair)#Suffrage100
— Clare Gerada #FBPE (@ClareGerada) February 6, 2018
Suffrage history brought to life at Victoria Station this morning. Amazing performance @CombinationDC demonstrating how inspirational archives are #Vote100 pic.twitter.com/bcggHkoJuD
— Dave Langrish (@DaveLangrish1) February 6, 2018
We thought it would be fascinating to see how today’s streets were once the sites of political struggle. The difficulty of course lies in pinpointing the correct locations – often the old photographs are imprecisely captioned, and many of the buildings have disappeared! We had to make sure we included a couple of the key photos: Emmeline Pankhurst being carried away from Buckingham Palace. And Emily Davison at the Epsom racecourse.
Jeremy Corbyn has pledged that the suffragettes who were given criminal records in their battle for equality would be pardoned under Labour
Corbyn also promised to grant an official apology for the miscarriages of justice and persecution the campaigners suffered if he took power.
Home secretary Amber Rudd has said she will look at calls to pardon suffragettes but suggested it would be a complicated to carry out.
It comes as Labour launches a 12-month campaign to celebrate women’s suffrage and to look at what steps can be taken to end the “grotesque levels of inequality” in society as well as the gender pay gap.
Corbyn said: “As a country, we must recognise and honour the enormous contribution and sacrifice made by women who campaigned for the right to vote.
“Many of those women were treated appallingly by society and the state. Convictions of suffragettes were politically motivated and bore no relation to the acts committed.”
He added: “Labour in government will both pardon the suffragettes and give an official apology for the miscarriages of justice and wider persecution they suffered.”
A century on from this, we want to hear from you about the important issues facing women today, especially after a year that has brought the #metoo movement – a social media movement to show how widespread sexual assault and harassment are.
Tell us what you think and give views here.
Theresa May is due to launch a year-long Vote 100 programme of events to celebrate a century of female suffrage today.
Female MPs past and present have been invited to the reception in parliament.
Speaking ahead of the event, which is expected to be the largest gathering of the UK’s women politicians ever organised, she said: “I’m proud to say we have more women and more ethnic minority MPs in government than ever before – proving that we are committed to looking more like the country we serve.
She added: “As well as remembering and giving thanks to those who came before us, we must also look at what more we can do to ensure everyone in the UK, regardless of background, has the freedom to play a full and active role in public life.”
Jordhi Nullatamby, 17, member of the Youth parliament for Thurrock who will compère the event, said: “The Representation of the People Act 1918 was a vital step towards the rights women have today, and the centenary of the Act is an incredibly important opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come, thanks to the extreme bravery and sacrifice of the women who fought – and in some cases died – for equality.
“Nevertheless, the job is not yet complete. The fight for equality continues, and we must continue to campaign for legislation which ensures equal opportunities for all people. Hopefully in the next 100 years we will again be able to look back and celebrate the amazing strides we have made towards an even more equal society.”
A roundup of some of the events and thoughts of the day so far.
Joanna Lumley reading Emmeline Pankhurst - what a fantastic end to suffragette special edition of @BBCr4today #r4today
— Andrew Clark (@clarkaw) February 6, 2018
This was once the site of Calton Jail where many Suffragettes were imprisoned. Today, it is the seat of @ScotGov and the Suffragette flag is flying high. Thank you to all the women who fought for our right to vote - and enabled a woman to occupy the office of FM. #vote100 pic.twitter.com/efmGJ0VGqu
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 6, 2018
On the 100th anniversary of UK women winning the right to vote, I’m celebrating the long history of women organizing to make their communities better, safer & fairer for all. It’s a story that continues across the world today, led by incredible women like @NimkoAli. #Suffrage100 pic.twitter.com/Bag30nX2nX
— Melinda Gates (@melindagates) February 6, 2018
Welcome to our live blog to mark the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act. We will be giving you information about the events taking place across England today and also calling for our readers to discuss the important issues facing women at the moment.
Share your views with us via email: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
Look forward to getting started!