New Zealand stunned the world in 1893 by becoming the first nation to grant women the right to vote in national elections—a historic win that followed decades of fierce activism. While the U.S. began its suffrage movement in 1848, it wasn’t until 1920 that women gained nationwide voting rights, though some states had already granted it earlier. Even after the vote, women’s political power has grown—U.S. women have outvoted men in presidential elections since 1980, and states like Oregon and Minnesota see over 70% female voter turnout. Globally, at least 20 countries beat the U.S. to suffrage, and today every nation allows women to vote. Rwanda and Cuba lead in legislative gender parity, with over half their legislatures female. Yet, men still dominate leadership: as of May 2026, only 37 women serve as heads of state or government across 33 countries, while the UN notes that six out of seven countries are still led by men—proof that true political equality remains an ongoing struggle.
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This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.
Sources:
https://www.ocregister.com/2026/09/18/heres-what-nation-first-allowed-women-to-vote-in-national-elections/
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https://sources.thednn.ai/e54d5243f383146f
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