Norway gained its own constitution as early as 1814. The constitution was based on the principle of popular sovereignty, deciding that the country should be governed by representatives elected by the people.
The new constitution, however, did not give everyone the right to vote. Only men in official positions or property-owners could fully participate in official elections. Not until 1898 were all men eligible to vote, women in 1913. June 11, 1913, therefore marks the beginning of democracy in Norway, as women finally were allowed to vote and participate in democratic elections.
Norway was a true pioneer, giving women the right to vote as early as 1913. Even though New Zealand introduced universal suffrage in 1893, Australia in 1902 and Finland in 1906; neither of these countries were independent states. Introducing universal suffrage, women were given a formal foundation on which to participate in democratic bodies, giving women an equal footing with men. It would, however, take another 9 years (1922) before the first woman was elected into Parliament. Her name was Karen Platou, and she was a representative of the Conservative Party (Høyre).
Another proud moment in the struggle for women's liberation was the election of Gro Harlem Brundtland as Prime Minister in 1981. Representing the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet), Brundtland became worldwide known for her 1986 “womens government”, in which 18 ministers were women. Since, Norway’s most recent election, 2009, women have generally held around 40 % of the seats in Parliament, and half of the Government’s ministerial posts.
In 2013, the women’s suffrage centenary is being celebrated all over Norway. For more information about the celebration and the official webpage- please go here.