2021

25 October 1970, a clear majority of men in Lucerne voted in favour of women's suffrage in the canton. The Lucerne History Museum is dedicating an exhibition to the topic and the University of Teacher Education Lucerne has developed teaching materials for lower and upper secondary schools. During the 2021 exhibition students could also immerse themselves in the topic in on-site workshops. 

At the University of Teacher Education Lucerne, historian Angela Müller and students in the Master programme in History Education and Public History have developed teaching materials for the exhibition «Eine Stimme haben. 50 Jahre Frauenstimmrecht in Luzern» at the Lucerne History Museum.

In terms of the history of democracy, 1971 marked a significant turning point, as more than half of the population with civil rights had previously been denied access to the ballot box. However, this step has largely been forgotten. The 50th anniversary gives schools the opportunity to look at the eventful history of voting rights. It is also an opportunity to discuss current issues of equal rights and political participation in the classroom. 

The brochure offers sets of tasks centred around the question: Who has a political voice and who doesn't? They deal with the long road to the right to vote for women in Switzerland and the fundamental social change that is reflected in this. Another section is dedicated to the question of how Switzerland has positioned itself in international comparison. The brochure looks at the present day. It provides suggestions on how students can deal with current restrictions on political participation - most of which affect them directly. Finally, it also raises the question of the extent to which the achievements of pioneering women are even visible and present in the public sphere. 

The teaching materials can still be used independently of the exhibition. 

© 2020, Pädagogische Hochschule Luzern