Votes For Women
Black And White Images Showing Votes For Women © Sligo County Library
Votes For Women
Black And White Images Showing Votes For Women © Sligo County Library
In 1922, after years of English rule, rebellions and a bloody war of independence, Ireland became a free state. Under the free state constitution, franchise was extended to all people, regardless of sex. Women, for the first time in Ireland, were able to vote. During the 20th century women became increasingly dissatisfied with their situation in comparison to men. This became particularly acute in the 1970's when women began to address the basic inequalities of their status within society, such as their rights, treatment and opportunities. Slowly women began to take positions within fields traditionally dominated my men, such as business, law and medicine. Even today, there are still significant wage differentials between men and women, which is being addressed by EU guidelines and Irish legislation. Progression of women rights throughout the century was just one dramatic way in which Irish society has changed in recent times.