In 1885, the Kvindestemmeretsforeningen (The Women’s Suffrage Association) was founded under the leadership of Ms. Gina Krog, one of the pioneers of the Norwegian women’s movement and a major figure in the struggle for women’s suffrage. When all men were granted full suffrage in 1898, many women saw it as deeply unfair that no women had the right to vote. In 1901, for the first time, women were allowed to vote in a political election — but only women who had paid taxes exceeding a certain amount, or married women whose husbands had paid such taxes. It was a start, but Krog and the other members of the Kvindestemmeretsforeningen wanted more.
Finally, in 1913, by an act of Parliament, Norwegian women gained the right to vote and Norway became the first independent country in the world to introduce universal suffrage. After suffrage was won, feminists began to work to get women elected to government. Even though 100 years have passed since then, progress toward gender equality in politics has been slow. There is still a long way to go before women are as well represented as men.
In January 2004, a law was enacted to help the process along. This law says that at least 40% of the board members of publicly owned businesses must be female, and at least 40% must be male. This has helped the struggle for equality, but even though Norway is a leading country in gender equality, statistics show that, as of 2012, 83% of board members at publicly traded companies and 73% of business owners are men.
On March 8, International Women’s Day, celebrations were held in cities big and small all over Norway; various women’s groups are planning more celebrations throughout the year. On June 11, there will be a big women’s suffrage “birthday” celebration in Oslo, with birthday cake, a parade, speeches and entertainment.
To read more about the anniversary or the struggle for women suffrage in Norway visit this website.