Women’s Day Estonia
Women’s Right to Vote in Estonia
April 12, (1917)
Number of female heads of state to date: 2
The women’s right to vote in Estonia has a history that dates back to the early 20th century and has been closely tied to the country’s struggle for independence.
During the period of Russian rule, Estonia did not have autonomous legislative bodies, and women did not have the right to vote. However, as the country started to push for independence in the early 20th century, women’s suffrage became an important topic of discussion.
In 1917, following the Russian Revolution, Estonia declared its autonomy and began the process of establishing its own democratic institutions. The Provisional Assembly, formed in 1917, was the first legislative body in which women had the right to participate and vote. This marked a significant step forward for women’s rights in Estonia.
In 1918, Estonia officially declared its independence, and a Constituent Assembly was formed to draft a constitution for the new nation. The Constitution of Estonia, adopted in 1920, granted women equal voting rights. This made Estonia one of the first countries in the world to establish universal suffrage, allowing women to participate in the democratic process on equal terms with men.
With the right to vote, Estonian women began actively participating in elections and shaping the country’s political landscape. They contributed to various political parties and organizations and played important roles in the development of Estonian society.
After the Soviet occupation during World War II, Estonia was part of the Soviet Union until it regained its independence in 1991. The restoration of independence reaffirmed women’s right to vote, and Estonian women continued to participate in politics, both at the local and national levels.
Today, women in Estonia are actively involved in politics, serving as members of parliament, government ministers, and holding various leadership positions. Efforts have been made to promote gender equality and increase women’s representation in politics. Gender quotas have been introduced to ensure a more balanced representation of women in political parties and electoral lists.
While progress has been made, challenges remain in achieving full gender equality in politics in Estonia. Women’s representation in some areas, such as higher political leadership positions, still needs improvement. Ongoing efforts are necessary to address cultural and structural barriers, promote women’s political participation, and create an inclusive political environment.
The women’s right to vote in Estonia represents an important achievement in the country’s democratic development and reflects the recognition of women as equal citizens. It highlights the significance of women’s active participation in the political process and the ongoing work toward achieving gender equality in Estonian politics and society as a whole.
Estonian women first gained the right to vote from Russia’s Provisional Government in 12th of April 1917 together with Estonia being granted a national autonomy as a unified entity.
In Estonia, women’s path to voting rights was marked by the absence of a distinct female suffrage movement; both women and men gained the right to vote and stand for elections in 1918-1920 as part of a broader political process that led to the creation of the independent state of Estonia in 1918.