Women's Rights

WOMEN'S RIGHTS

IN ENGLAND

Women could divorce husbands who were cruel to them or husbands who had left them.

A law was passed which stated that if a marriage broke down and the parents separated, children under seven years of age should stay with their mother.

1839

Women could not be forced to live with husbands unless they wished to.

After ratification of the 19th Amendment, the League of Women Voters is founded to educate women about their right to vote and encourage them to exercise it. Today, the league promotes greater participation in the democratic process and advocates on a wide range of public policy issues.

Women received the vote on the same terms as men (over the age of 21) as a result of the Representation of the People Act 1928

1857

1891

1920

1928

1974

Contraception becomes available on the NHS. This is also a direct result ofpressure from the women’s movement.

WSPU leaders: Annie Kenney and Christabel Pankhurst