13 things women couldn’t do 100 years ago

In 1929, women became independent “persons” under Canadian law by Canadian law.

Canadian Emily Murphy, the first judge in the British Empire, and four others led the fight after lawyers challenged her right to sentence by arguing that as a woman she was not qualified for the current Senate in Canada.

A panel created in their honor in the Chamber reads: “To advance the work of women, these five outstanding pioneers took steps that led to the Secret Council recognizing women as eligible for appointment to the Senate of Canada.

8. Sit in the lord’s house

The Life Peerages Act of 1958 gave women the right to sit in a lord’s house for the first time. Baroness Swanbourough, Lady Reading and Baroness Barbara Wooton were the first to take their places.

9. Work on the London Stock Exchange

Women were admitted to the London Stock Exchange for the first time in the history of the institution in 1973 following a campaign by women in the financial sector.

10. Obtain a court order against a violent husband

The Domestic Violence and Legal Proceedings Act 1976 provided legal protection to women who were victims of domestic violence.

11. Single women could not get birth control pills

Birth control pills were introduced in 1961, but were initially only available to married women. In 1967 Contraception was available through the NHS Family Planning Act.

12. Ensure a legal and safe abortion

The Abortion Act of 1967 legalized abortion in the UK (except Northern Ireland) for women who were up to 24 weeks pregnant.

“Two doctors had to agree that continuing the pregnancy would be detrimental to the woman’s physical or mental health or the child’s physical or mental health when he was born,” notes the British Library.

In October 2019, abortion was decriminalized in Northern Ireland – but since that date, the state has made no effort to provide any services for women.

Prior to the change in legislation, women in Northern Ireland were only allowed to have an abortion if their lives were in danger or if there was a risk of permanent damage to their mental or physical health – forcing many to risk prosecution by traveling abroad to receive. process.

13. Report rape in marriage

It was not until 1991 that the House of Lords declared rape a criminal offense in the United Kingdom.

Lawmakers ruled the 250-year-old law was “anachronistic and offensive,” adding, “The rapist remains the rapist and is subject to criminal law, regardless of his relationship with the victim.”

This article is updated with the latest information.