Women’s Right to Vote in the Netherlands
Women’s Day The Netherlands / May 9, (1919)
Meeting on Universal Women’s Suffrage in the Palace of Industry (Paleis voor Volksvlijt), Women’s Day, March 8, 1914 – Stadsarchief Amsterdam
The Netherlands, despite its reputation as a progressive nation, followed a relatively measured path toward women’s suffrage compared to some of its European neighbors. Dutch women gained full voting rights when Queen Wilhelmina signed the amendment to the Electoral Law on May 28, 1919, granting women both passive and active suffrage. However, May 9, 1919—the date when the House of Representatives voted decisively in favor of women’s suffrage—is widely recognized and celebrated in the Netherlands as the definitive moment for women’s voting rights. This milestone came after decades of organized activism, political maneuvering, and incremental advances. The Dutch suffrage movement reflected the country’s unique political and social landscape, characterized by “pillarization” (verzuiling) — the division of society along religious and ideological lines — which both complicated and facilitated the struggle for women’s political rights.
Early Foundations: 1800s to 1880s
The Netherlands of the early 19th century offered women few political rights. The Constitution of 1848, while establishing a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament, explicitly limited voting rights to male citizens meeting certain tax qualifications.
The earliest discussions about women’s political participation emerged in the 1870s, influenced by:
- Liberal intellectual currents
- International developments in women’s rights
- The first wave of feminism in neighboring countries
- Growing female participation in education and professional life
Aletta Jacobs, who became the first female physician in the Netherlands in 1878, emerged as an early pioneer. In 1883, she made a symbolic but significant gesture by applying to vote in Amsterdam, arguing that the wording of the constitution did not explicitly exclude women. Her application was rejected, but the action sparked public debate on women’s suffrage.
Formation of Women’s Suffrage Organizations: 1890s
The Dutch women’s suffrage movement began organizing formally in the 1890s:
- 1889: The Free Women’s Association (Vrije Vrouwenvereeniging) was established, addressing various women’s rights issues
- 1894: The Association for Women’s Suffrage (Vereeniging voor Vrouwenkiesrecht, VVK) was founded by Wilhelmina Drucker, Aletta Jacobs, and others
- 1897: National Exhibition of Women’s Labor highlighted women’s contributions to Dutch society
The VVK became the central organization in the suffrage movement, employing strategies such as petitions, public lectures, and publications to advance their cause. Unlike suffrage movements in some other countries, the Dutch organization generally avoided militant tactics, preferring persuasion and legal advocacy.
Electoral Reform and Partial Progress: 1900-1917
The early 20th century brought electoral reforms that, while not immediately granting women the vote, created important precedents:
- 1901: Married women gained legal capacity (handelingsbekwaamheid), removing some legal barriers to their political participation
- 1905: Women became eligible for certain public offices
- 1908: The Women’s Suffrage League split from the VVK, advocating a more radical approach
- 1913: A liberal-social democratic coalition government formed, more sympathetic to women’s suffrage
A crucial breakthrough came with the Constitutional Reform of 1917, which:
- Introduced universal male suffrage, removing property requirements
- Established passive women’s suffrage (the right to stand for election)
- Created a constitutional framework that allowed for active women’s suffrage through ordinary legislation
This compromise reflected the complex political negotiations of the era, particularly the “Pacification of 1917” that resolved several contentious issues including voting rights, education funding, and labor regulations.
Achievement of Full Women’s Suffrage: 1918-1919
Following the 1917 constitutional changes, the final push for full women’s suffrage intensified:
- 1918: Suze Groeneweg became the first woman elected to the Dutch parliament, despite women not yet being able to vote
- Social Democratic leader P.J. Troelstra’s failed revolutionary attempt in November 1918 (known as “Troelstra’s mistake”) paradoxically strengthened support for women’s suffrage as a stabilizing democratic reform
- The bill for women’s suffrage was introduced by Minister Henri Marchant of the progressive liberal party Vrijzinnig Democratische Bond
The decisive moment came on May 9, 1919, when the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) voted in favor of women’s suffrage by an overwhelming majority of 64 to 10. This vote represented a remarkable shift in Dutch politics, as former opponents from confessional parties now supported women’s suffrage. The debate preceding the vote was relatively brief compared to the decades of activism that led to this moment, indicating how the political climate had fundamentally changed. The vote breakdown showed support across multiple political parties:
- All representatives from the Social Democratic Labor Party (SDAP) voted in favor
- The majority of Catholic and Protestant representatives supported the bill, reflecting a significant evolution in religious parties’ positions
- Only a small contingent of conservative Christian and liberal representatives opposed the measure
The bill then proceeded to the Senate (Eerste Kamer), which approved it later that month. On May 28, 1919, the law amending the Electoral Law to grant women the right to vote was signed into law by Queen Wilhelmina. The law established:
- Full active voting rights for women on the same terms as men
- Implementation in time for the next parliamentary elections
This made the Netherlands the 11th country in Europe to grant women full suffrage, following countries including Finland (1906), Norway (1913), Denmark and Iceland (1915), and Great Britain (1918, with age restrictions).
First Elections with Women Voters: 1921-1922
The first national elections in which Dutch women could vote were the parliamentary elections held on July 5, 1922. These elections demonstrated the impact of women’s enfranchisement:
- Voter turnout increased significantly
- The confessional (religious) parties, particularly the Catholic and Protestant parties, benefited from women’s votes
- Seven women were elected to the 100-seat House of Representatives
- Political campaigns specifically targeted female voters for the first time
Contrary to the fears of some conservatives and the hopes of some progressives, women did not vote as a bloc but along similar religious and class lines as men, reflecting the deeply “pillarized” nature of Dutch society at the time.
The Netherlands in European Context
The Netherlands’ adoption of women’s suffrage in 1919 positioned it in the middle range among European nations:
- Finland granted women full voting rights in 1906
- Norway in 1913
- Denmark and Iceland in 1915
- Soviet Russia in 1917
- Austria, Germany, Poland, and the UK (with age restrictions) in 1918
- The Netherlands, Sweden, and Luxembourg in 1919
- Czechoslovakia in 1920
- Belgium in 1921
- Ireland and Spain in 1931
- France in 1944
- Italy in 1945
- Switzerland (at federal level) in 1971
This timeline reflects how women’s suffrage spread across Europe in waves, with Northern European countries generally moving earlier than Southern and Eastern European nations.
Key Figures in the Dutch Suffrage Movement
Several individuals played pivotal roles in advancing women’s suffrage in the Netherlands:
- Aletta Jacobs (1854-1929) – The first female physician in the Netherlands, Jacobs was a tireless advocate for women’s rights, particularly suffrage. She presided over the Association for Women’s Suffrage from 1903 to 1919, bringing international connections and unwavering dedication to the cause.
- Wilhelmina Drucker (1847-1925) – Known as “Iron Mina” for her determined advocacy, Drucker founded several women’s organizations and the radical feminist journal “Evolutie.” She combined suffrage activism with broader concerns about women’s economic independence and legal rights.
- Rosa Manus (1881-1942) – An internationalist who helped organize the International Woman Suffrage Alliance Congress in Amsterdam in 1908, Manus built global connections that strengthened the Dutch movement. She later co-founded the International Archives for the Women’s Movement.
- Suze Groeneweg (1875-1940) – As the first woman elected to the Dutch parliament in 1918 (before women could vote), Groeneweg symbolized both the achievement of passive suffrage and the continued struggle for full voting rights.
- Henri Marchant (1869-1956) – Though not a woman, this liberal politician played a crucial role by introducing the successful bill that ultimately granted women the vote in 1919.
The “Pillarized” Context of Dutch Suffrage
Understanding the Dutch suffrage movement requires appreciation of the country’s unique sociopolitical structure known as “pillarization” (verzuiling). From roughly 1880 to 1960, Dutch society was organized into distinct “pillars” based on religion and ideology:
- The Catholic pillar
- The Protestant pillar (itself divided between different denominations)
- The Socialist/Social Democratic pillar
- The Liberal pillar
Each pillar maintained its own institutions, including political parties, newspapers, schools, unions, and social organizations. This structure complicated women’s suffrage advocacy:
- Catholic and orthodox Protestant groups initially opposed women’s suffrage on religious grounds
- Socialists theoretically supported women’s rights but sometimes subordinated them to class issues
- Liberals were divided, with progressive liberals supporting suffrage while conservative liberals resisted
However, pillarization also created paths for advancement as women organized within their own pillars and used these structures to advocate for their rights. The eventual achievement of suffrage required building alliances across these divides and convincing key religious parties that women voters would strengthen rather than undermine their political position.
Impact of World War I and Broader Democratic Trends
Although the Netherlands remained neutral during World War I, the conflict had significant effects on the suffrage movement:
- The war accelerated democratic reforms across Europe
- Dutch politicians recognized the need for social stability and broader political participation following the war
- Fear of revolutionary movements, highlighted by events in Russia and Germany, made moderate democratic reforms like women’s suffrage appear as a safeguard against extremism
- Women’s contributions to maintaining society during wartime strengthened arguments for their political inclusion
These factors contributed to the changed political climate that made the overwhelming parliamentary vote of May 9, 1919, possible. Many politicians who had opposed women’s suffrage before the war now viewed it as both inevitable and desirable for national stability.
Women in Dutch Politics After Suffrage
The achievement of voting rights marked a beginning rather than an end to women’s political integration:
- Women’s representation in parliament grew slowly, reaching only 10% by the 1980s
- The first female cabinet minister, Marga Klompé, was appointed in 1956
- 1982 saw the formation of the first gender-balanced cabinet committee
- In 2017, women held 36% of parliamentary seats
- Only in 2022 did the Netherlands achieve gender parity in the cabinet under Prime Minister Mark Rutte
While the Netherlands has never had a female prime minister, Queen Juliana (reigned 1948-1980) and Queen Beatrix (reigned 1980-2013) exercised significant symbolic influence as female heads of state.
Legacy and Contemporary Significance
The centenary of women’s suffrage in 2019 prompted national reflection on this historical achievement and its ongoing significance:
- Special exhibitions, publications, and commemorative events highlighted the suffrage struggle
- Discussions emerged about persistent gender gaps in political representation and leadership
- Scholars examined how intersections of gender with class, religion, colonialism, and race shaped access to political rights
- The International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam continued preserving and promoting materials related to women’s suffrage through archives including those of Aletta Jacobs
The Dutch case offers important insights into how women’s suffrage movements navigated religiously and ideologically divided societies, achieving reform through persistence and strategic compromise rather than radical confrontation.
Colonial Dimensions
An often overlooked aspect of Dutch women’s suffrage is its colonial dimension. The Netherlands controlled vast territories including Indonesia (then the Dutch East Indies), Suriname, and Caribbean islands during this period:
- Women’s suffrage in the Netherlands did not automatically extend to colonial territories
- Indigenous women in colonies faced multiple barriers to political participation
- Colonial authorities often used arguments about “civilization” and “development” to justify limited political rights
- Women in former Dutch colonies typically gained voting rights only with independence or, in some cases, during late colonial reforms
This colonial context reveals how gender, race, and imperial power intersected in the history of political rights.
Women’s Right to Vote in the Netherlands
The achievement of women’s suffrage in the Netherlands, marked by the decisive parliamentary vote on May 9, 1919, and formalized by royal assent on May 28, represented a significant milestone in the country’s democratic development. Coming after decades of organized activism and incremental progress, the overwhelming parliamentary support (64 to 10) demonstrated how thoroughly the political landscape had changed regarding women’s political rights.
Unlike more militant suffrage movements elsewhere, the Dutch campaign generally favored persuasion, legal advocacy, and coalition-building. This approach, while perhaps slower, ultimately succeeded in navigating the religious and ideological divisions that characterized early 20th-century Dutch politics.
The story of Dutch women’s suffrage reminds us that the path to political equality is rarely straightforward. It requires persistent activism, strategic compromises, and engagement with the specific cultural and political contexts of each nation. A century after women gained the vote, their full and equal participation in political life remains an ongoing process rather than a completed achievement—a testament to both the significance of the 1919 victory and the work that followed it.
Aletta Jacobs
In 1882, a female doctor, Aletta Jacobs, wrote a letter to the mayor of Amsterdam, asking why she was not registered as a voter, although she paid the legal required amount of taxes to be eligible to vote. The mayor answered that although the law did not say explicitly that women could not vote, the intentions of the law could not be discussed. The result of a long judicial fight was that the parliament changed the law and added ‘male’ to the article of the law. It was very clear now- women had no right to vote.
Canonclip 34: Aletta Jacobs
In the early days of the twentieth century, the debate of universal suffrage divided the Socialists and the Liberals. The Socialists put emphasis on suffrage for the lower classes, and thought that once the men had suffrage, the women would follow. The Suffragettes, being mostly upper class women, opposed this idea fiercely. Eventually, the question was solved in a very Dutch manner. The right to stand for election for both women and men was granted in 1917 and the right to vote for all women and men was granted in 1919. At the same time, subsidized Catholic and Protestant schools were erected. The Socialist, Liberal, Catholic and Protestant political parties all got what they wanted.
Hedy d’Ancona during a congress on social democracy in 1981.
Hedy d’Ancona
Hedy d’Ancona has had an impressive career- both in and outside politics. In the sixties, Hedy d’Ancona was one of the founders of ‘Man Vrouw Maatschappij’ or MVM (Man, woman, society), a mixed feminist group that put fundamental questions concerning gender relations to the forth. She is one of the few active members of the feminist groups of the second wave that pursued a political career. She was a member of the Dutch Upper House, the junior minister of Emancipation, the Minister of Welfare, Public Health and Culture, a MEP, and the chair of the Dutch Social Democrats of the European parliament. The fact that Hedy d’Ancona has combined feminism with both a professional and a political career has contributed positively to the image of women’s issues as an important and accepted political issue.
Although during the second feminist wave activities concerning women’s issues mostly took place outside the political realm, d’Ancona has a history of pulling feminism into (social democratic) politics. During her (unfortunately) short period of junior minister of Emancipation, she changed the idea that ‘women had still a lot ground to cover’ to ‘gender as an issue of power’. She started to design policy to avoid violence against women and girls, and the gender based division of labour. The device of the second feminist wave -the personal is political- describes Hedy D’Ancona in all of her aspects.
First woman in the House of Representatives
1918 In July 1918, women were not eligible to vote themselves, but it was permitted to vote for them. Rotterdam-based teacher Suze Groeneweg became the first woman to enter the House of Representatives. It was a sensation: her election was covered by all the newspapers. She was even given her own toilet in the parliament building, where only men’s facilities were available.
1919 The universal suffrage movement now really started to take off. Henri Marchant, alias ‘The General’ and ‘the Tiger’, submitted a draft bill: it called for Dutch women to be given the vote alongside men. Although opposition remained, particularly in the Christian parties, this was a change whose time had come. On 9 May 1919, the House of Representatives voted in favour of women’s suffrage by a large majority: 64 votes in favour and 10 against. From now on, 46.3% of Dutch people had the right to vote.
1948 Universal suffrage did not apply in the colonial territories of the Dutch East Indies, Suriname and the Dutch Antilles, where only men who paid a certain amount of tax were eligible to vote. Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez called for black residents to be given a greater say on Curaçao. By April 1948, this had been achieved: universal suffrage was introduced in Suriname and the Dutch Antilles. A year later, the Netherlands recognised Indonesia as an independent country. Dutch Indonesians returning to the Netherlands were given the right to vote. The percentage of Dutch citizens (in the European part of the Netherlands) eligible to vote reached 55.9%
> houseofrepresentatives.nl/hundred-years-universal-suffrage-celebration
Na honderd jaar kiesrecht maken vrouwen het verschil in het stemhokje
Hoe gebruiken vrouwen het kiesrecht dat zij honderd jaar geleden hebben verworven? Veel vaker dan mannen stemmen ze op een vrouw en ook de partijkeuze is anders. Maar de politieke voorkeur blijkt in de loop der jaren flink verschoven.
Marjon Bolwijn, 9 maart 2019
> volkskrant.nl/na-honderd-jaar-kiesrecht-maken-vrouwen-het-verschil-in-het-stemhokje
Liberaal Journaal : 100 jaar vrouwenkiesrecht (1917-2017)
In 2017 is het honderd jaar geleden dat het algemeen mannenkiesrecht werd ingevoerd, evenals het passief kiesrecht voor vrouwen. Daarmee konden vrouwen zich voortaan verkiesbaar stellen en ook gekozen worden. Tevens werd de weg vrijgemaakt voor actief kiesrecht voor vrouwen – het recht om ook zelf een stem uit te brengen. Het zou nog tot 1919 duren alvorens vrouwen daadwerkelijk actief kiesrecht verwierven.
> cdn.prod.website-files.com/liberaal-journaal-ts-2017-vrouwenkiesrecht.pdf