The 40th anniversary of the introduction of women’s suffrage in the
Principality of Liechtenstein is being celebrated with a variety of
activities. With the embroidered special stamp “The Cross - a Powerful
Symbol” (face value: CHF 9.50) specially designed for this occasion, we
are also making a contribution to this politically significant event.
Up
until 1984, women in Liechtenstein were excluded from the right to vote
in national elections. Their wish to vote failed at the ballot box in
1971 and 1973. Three years later, the Landtag passed a law that enabled
women to vote at a local level.
The voters of the capital of
Vaduz introduced this in the same year and other municipalities followed
suit over time. In 1981, 24 committed women launched the “Sleeping
Beauty Campaign”. Through their persistent activities such as effective
public relations work, talks with the Government and parliamentarians
and a campaign at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, their wish to
vote finally succeeded in 1984.
Two years later, women across the
country were allowed to put their own crosses on the ballot paper for
the first time and also stand for election themselves. One female
candidate immediately made the leap into the then Landtag consisting of
15 members.
Send a strong signal
Equal rights for women are still a
topical issue today. Tie the handkerchief to your handbag, around your
wrist or use it as a handkerchief to draw attention to the issue.