Dancing on the Glass Ceiling!

February 6th 2008, marked the 90th anniversary of a momentous victory for women’s rights, - the right to vote.

During the whole of the nineteenth century, women had no political rights meaning they could not vote and were looked upon as inferior.

It was during the late nineteenth century that women began fighting for the right to vote.

The movement became known as the Suffragette movement. Set up by Millicent Fawcett she campaigned for women's political rights in a non-violent manner. However, male politicians disregarded her efforts and so in 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst took a harder-line attitude.

She believed that if men would not listen to reasonable ideas, then women should use force to push for what they wanted - the right to vote. Polices included the burning of churches, attacks on politicians, disrupting the day-to-day work of Parliament and, if arrested, going on hunger strike.

They were victorious in 1918 when women over 30 years of age were given the right to vote and allowed to stand for Parliament as MP's. In 1928, women were given the same political rights as men.

90 Years On, How Much Change?

Today, issues such as sexuality, disability and racial equality are topical but it seems gender equality is no longer on the agenda.

Whilst women are said to have equal rights, the issue of equal pay highlights this is not the case. On average a female loses up to a staggering £300,000 in her lifetime compared to her male equivalent.

Furthermore in the UK, 96% of senior directors in organisations are male.

Think Point!

• What does this reflect?
• Has the working culture failed to change and inequality remains?
• Is it a question that since the victory of the suffragette movement gender equality is an issue long forgot?