The suffragette movement, which fought for women's right to vote, had several major goals:
1. **Women's Suffrage:** The primary and overarching goal of the suffragette movement was to secure the right to vote for women. Suffragettes believed that women, like men, should have a voice in the democratic process and be able to participate in elections.
2. **Legal Equality:** The suffragettes advocated for legal equality between men and women. This encompassed not only the right to vote but also equal rights in matters such as property ownership, divorce, and employment.
3. **Political Representation:** Suffragettes sought to increase women's political representation by enabling them to stand for election to public office. This goal aimed to ensure that women's voices were heard in government at all levels.
4. **Social and Economic Rights:** The suffragette movement was also concerned with broader social and economic issues. They pushed for improvements in areas such as women's labor rights, education, and healthcare.
5. **Advocacy for Equal Pay:** Suffragettes advocated for equal pay for equal work, arguing that women should receive fair compensation for their labor, similar to men.
6. **Marital Rights:** The suffragettes fought for changes in marital laws that often disadvantaged women, including the right to retain property and custody of their children in the event of divorce.
7. **Access to Education:** Suffragettes worked to improve women's access to education, including higher education, to empower them with knowledge and skills.
8. **Social Reforms:** In some cases, suffragettes were involved in broader social reform movements, such as addressing issues like child labor, poverty, and healthcare.
9. **International Influence:** The suffragette movement was not confined to one country; it was a global movement. Suffragettes in one country often inspired and influenced movements in other nations.
10. **Direct Action and Civil Disobedience:** Some suffragettes adopted more militant tactics, including civil disobedience and acts of protest like hunger strikes and public demonstrations to draw attention to their cause.
The suffragette movement was instrumental in securing voting rights for women in many countries around the world and advancing the cause of gender equality. While the goals varied somewhat from one group or country to another, the fundamental principle of achieving equal rights and suffrage for women was at the heart of this historic movement.