KBC 14: Which was the world’s first country to give women the right to vote?
A) New Zealand
B) Australia
C) Sweden
D) Norway
Answer: New Zealand
On September 19, 1893, Governor Lord Glasgow, signed a new Electoral Act into law. As a result of this landmark legislation, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
After nearly 100 years, in 1997, Jenny Shipley became New Zealand’s first female prime minister.
In most countries, including the US and Britain, women did not win the right to vote until after the First World War. The United States granted women the right to vote in 1920 and Great Britain guaranteed full voting rights for women in 1928.
That achievement was the result of years of effort by suffrage campaigners, led by Kate Sheppard. In 1891, 1892 and 1893 they compiled a series of massive petitions calling on Parliament to grant the vote to women. Sheppard’s contribution to New Zealand’s history has been acknowledged on the $10 note.
Following the 2017 elections in New Zealand, 30 % of the Members of Parliament were female, as compared with 9% in 1981. In the early 21st century women have held each of the country’s key constitutional positions: prime minister, governor-general, speaker of the House of Representatives, attorney-general and chief justice.
The New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993 was authorised by the Queen by Royal Warrant dated July 1, 1993, and was awarded to 546 selected people in recognition of their contribution to the rights of women in New Zealand.
Other questions in KBC 14 quiz:
KBC 14: What is the official currency of the United Kingdom?
