Centenary of women’s suffrage in Norway 1913–2013
On 11th June 2013 it will be exactly 100 years since women were granted the right to vote, almost a century after men received the same rights. The centenary committee, which has met regularly since early 2010, is responsible for the Government’s official centenary celebration programme.
Anna Rogstad, first female MP, painted by Eyolf Soot, 1914
Women’s suffrage week in Norway, 11th–20th June 2013
On 11th June 1913, the Storting voted unanimously in favour of universal suffrage. The main events will take place on this date in Eidsvolls plass, where there will be a celebration from 3pm–6pm. There will be a parade, speeches, concerts, refreshments, including cake, and an appearance by Gro Harlem Brundtland Norway’s only female Prime Minister to date. Everybody is invited to take part!
From 11th June visitors to the Parliament will be able to enjoy an exhibition in the Historical Hall. This will present the history of universal suffrage in Norway, through photographs and documents, as well as by means of a brand new interactive touchscreen.
Events will take place locally around the country. One of the aims of the centenary committee has been to encourage others – whether institutions, organizations, clubs, associations, local and national authorities, groups or individuals – to contribute to the celebrations.
Focus on democracy in the run-up to the 2013 general election
The centenary committee’s aim is to ensure that the centenary is marked in a way that fosters engagement and generates support for important democratic principles, such as the right to vote, gender equality, participation and representation.
The centenary is an opportunity to raise awareness and foster engender commitment to the right to vote, with a view to ensuring that as many people as possible go to the polls in the 2013 election, both first-time voters and all others who are entitled to vote. The centenary committee is supporting such initiatives as the music competition “Rapvalg”, and the Norwegian Children and Youth Council’s “Democracy Agents” in a bid to encourage young people to vote in the upcoming election on 9th September 2013.
International conference on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality
The committee also wishes to draw attention to international questions concerning women’s rights and political participation, and is hosting an International Conference on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in cooperation with the Peace Research Institute in Oslo (PRIO), the Forum for Women and Development (FOKUS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion on 14th and 15th November. The aim of the conference is to gather political leaders and human rights defenders from all over the world with the intention of putting women’s political rights and international efforts to promote gender equality on the global agenda.