dawn 100 years on

A view over a city wakening up to celebrate an event 100 years ago - the day when some women received the right to vote. Those who were fortunate were over 30, had property or were married to a man who had.  We forget that women did not receive full equality on franchise a century ago, that came a decade later when women 21 and over were granted that right.
For too long women have been the subject of someone else’s history, mostly men’s. They have been consumers rather than creators of law and policy. Thankfully although enduring inequalities still remain stubbornly in place, times have changed.  The road to equality between groups is a long one and it is a sad reflection of history that those who were pioneers rarely lived to see the benefits of their sacrifices.
We cannot forget them lest we forget from where we came and the cost of that journey. 
In case we become complacent, 100 years on, only 489 women have been elected to Westminister since females were entitled to become MPS. Half of those are those currently serving MPs!
People are born as rights’ bearers. Governments do not create rights for people - they can only withhold those fundamental rights, such as was the case in women’s suffrage.
There is much to celebrate in the struggle for equality for women’s equality. Women are more visible in all the main walks of life. Their past absence was nothing to do with lack of competence, skills or passion – it was to do with a mix of misuse of power added to fear.
Allies are still needed as the journey is not over!