Women and the vote
Before 1918 no women were allowed to vote in parliamentary elections. In the early 20th century there were two main groups active in the campaign for women's suffrage, a term used to describe the right to vote.
These two groups were the 'suffragists' who campaigned using peaceful methods such as lobbying, and the 'suffragettes' who were determined to win the right to vote for women by any means. Their militant campaigning sometimes included unlawful and violent acts which attracted much publicity.
Explore the Parliamentary collections for documents and images about Women and the Vote
Eight documents from the Parliamentary Archives and the Women's Library recognised by UNESCO and brought together in a display marking International Women's Day 2012
Learn more about Birmingham's influence on and links with the women's suffrage movement, particularly the suffragettes.
Case studies on women's suffrage and women and Parliament.
Follow the dates and legislation that mark milestones in women's struggle for the right to vote
Find out how women use their vote today and how times have changed since women first won the vote in 1918
Take your women's suffrage research further with additional material and parliamentary sources
A podcast of interviews with archivists, curators, police and MPs about the actions of suffragettes and suffragists in Parliament
From peaceful campaigning to militant tactics, the fight for women's voting rights lasted many years. Find out how their goals were achieved, with full equality with men being won in 1928