WOMEN’S MOVEMENT IN DENMARK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 4

WOMEN’S MOVEMENT IN DENMARK.

It is interesting to note that though the women’s movement in Denmark is of later date than that of England, the same methods employed by the Danish women have gained better results and a Bill amending the Danish Constitution granting equal suffrage was carried in the Folkthing by a large majority at the beginning of December. In the year 1819 the first strong call, we are told, from a Danish woman appeared in Clara Rafael’s writings, and in 1871 the Danish Women s Association was formed, hugely owing to the influence of Mr. Frederick Bayer, renowned for his work for international peace. In 1888 the quesfon was brought forward in the Danish Parliament, and the following year saw the formation of the first suffrage society. As in Britain, the women tried to make Parliamentary candidates express their views to their constituents by means of questions at public meetings, and when interfered with by the police their legal right to adopt this method of bringing the question forward was gained after an appeal. Several new societies of different types, but having the same object, were formed, and the country was covered in a propaganda campaign. Women’s trade unions sprang into existence, the university was opened, and women entered the medical profession. The international Congress for Women’s Suffrage held in Copenhagen in 1906 did much to stimulate public opinion. Full equality in local government came two years later, and it was evident that the date for full citizenship could not long be postponed. With the large measure of Parliamentary and public opinion behind the reform, the Dan sh women are likely to get all they 7 aie asking.