• 1920: WOMEN ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE WITH THE 19TH AMENDMENT. (ONLY WHITE WOMEN; MINORITY WOMEN FACED CONTINUED BARRIERS)

    1963: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO EQUAL PAY UNDER THE EQUAL PAY ACT.

    1964: WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN BECOMES ILLEGAL UNDER TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

    1972: BIRTH CONTROL BECOMES LEGAL FOR UNMARRIED WOMEN.

    1973: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO LEGALLY ACCESS ABORTION UNDER ROE V. WADE.

    1974: WOMEN CAN APPLY FOR A CREDIT CARD OR LOAN WITHOUT A MALE CO-SIGNER UNDER THE EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY ACT.

    1978: EMPLOYERS CAN NO LONGER DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE UNDER THE PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION ACT.

    1986: SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS RECOGNIZED AS A FORM OF ILLEGAL DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE.

    1993: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE WITHOUT FEAR OF LOSING THEIR JOBS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA).

    1994: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT IS PASSED, MAKING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT FEDERAL CRIMES.

    1998: WOMEN CAN BREASTFEED AT WORK WITH PROTECTED BREAK TIME UNDER THE AMENDED FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT.

    2010: INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO COVER BIRTH CONTROL WITHOUT CO-PAYMENTS UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

    2018: BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC BECOMES LEGAL IN ALL 50 STATES.

  • 1915: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND STAND FOR ELECTION IN DENMARK.

    1921: WOMEN GAIN EQUAL INHERITANCE RIGHTS UNDER DANISH LAW.

    1961: DENMARK LEGALIZES BIRTH CONTROL FOR MARRIED WOMEN.

    1973: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO LEGALLY ACCESS ABORTION UP TO 12 WEEKS UNDER THE ABORTION ACT.

    1976: DENMARK PASSES ITS FIRST EQUAL PAY ACT, MANDATING THAT WOMEN AND MEN BE PAID EQUALLY FOR EQUAL WORK.

    1978: DENMARK INTRODUCES PARENTAL LEAVE WITH THE RIGHT TO 14 WEEKS OF MATERNITY LEAVE FOR WOMEN.

    1980: DENMARK IMPLEMENTS LAWS AGAINST GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE.

    1984: SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS RECOGNIZED AS A FORM OF DISCRIMINATION UNDER DANISH LABOR LAWS.

    1996: DENMARK PASSES A LAW MANDATING THAT EMPLOYERS PROVIDE A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN TO BREASTFEED AT WORK.

    2000: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO IVF TREATMENTS AND FERTILITY ASSISTANCE UNDER PUBLIC HEALTHCARE.

    2014: DENMARK ADOPTS LAWS MANDATING GENDER QUOTAS ON PUBLIC COMPANY BOARDS.

    2018: DENMARK BANS SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN ALL WORKPLACES WITH A FOCUS ON STRICTER ENFORCEMENT.

  • 1971: WOMEN ARE FINALLY GRANTED THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND STAND FOR ELECTION NATIONWIDE.

    1981: EQUAL RIGHTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN ARE ENSHRINED IN THE SWISS CONSTITUTION.

    1985: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO LEGALLY ACT INDEPENDENTLY OF THEIR HUSBANDS IN MARRIAGE, INCLUDING MAKING FINANCIAL DECISIONS WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.

    1996: SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS RECOGNIZED AS ILLEGAL IN THE WORKPLACE UNDER SWISS LABOR LAW.

    2002: SWITZERLAND INTRODUCES PAID MATERNITY LEAVE, GIVING WOMEN 14 WEEKS OF PAID LEAVE AFTER CHILDBIRTH.

    2004: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO BREASTFEED AT WORK, WITH LAWS REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE TIME AND A SUITABLE PLACE.

    2005: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS OFFICIALLY CRIMINALIZED AND NO LONGER CONSIDERED A PRIVATE MATTER.

    2013: SWITZERLAND ADOPTS LEGISLATION TO MANDATE EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN AND MEN.

    2018: SWISS WOMEN PARTICIPATE IN A MASSIVE NATIONWIDE STRIKE DEMANDING FASTER PROGRESS ON EQUAL PAY, WORKPLACE RIGHTS, AND THE END OF GENDER VIOLENCE.

    2021: SWITZERLAND INTRODUCES PAID PATERNITY LEAVE, GRANTING FATHERS TWO WEEKS OF PAID LEAVE, MARKING A STEP TOWARD EQUAL PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

  • 1975: THE UAE ESTABLISHES THE GENERAL WOMEN'S UNION (GWU), WHICH PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN PROMOTING WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND EMPOWERMENT.

    2002: WOMEN ARE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND RUN FOR OFFICE IN FEDERAL NATIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.

    2005: THE UAE INTRODUCES LEGISLATION MANDATING EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN AND MEN IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

    2008: THE UAE PASSES LAWS THAT REQUIRE COMPANIES TO PROVIDE 45 DAYS OF PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR WOMEN.

    2012: THE UAE PASSES A LAW REQUIRING THAT WOMEN MUST BE INCLUDED ON THE BOARDS OF ALL GOVERNMENT BODIES AND COMPANIES.

    2015: THE UAE APPOINTS ITS FIRST FEMALE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOLERANCE, MARKING A STEP TOWARD WOMEN'S INCLUSION IN HIGH-RANKING GOVERNMENT ROLES.

    2019: THE UAE INTRODUCES A LAW TO PROVIDE 90 DAYS OF PAID MATERNITY LEAVE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND 45 DAYS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

    2019: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS CRIMINALIZED IN THE UAE, PROVIDING LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE IN THE HOME.

    2020: THE UAE AMENDS ITS PERSONAL STATUS LAWS TO ALLOW WOMEN GREATER RIGHTS IN DIVORCE, INHERITANCE, AND CUSTODY CASES.

    2021: LAWS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENDER ARE ENHANCED, INCLUDING PROTECTIONS AGAINST HARASSMENT, IN LINE WITH THE UAE'S STRATEGY FOR GENDER EQUALITY.

    2022: THE UAE INTRODUCES FEDERAL LAW ENSURING EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN AND MEN IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, STRENGTHENING GENDER EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE.

  • 1918: WOMEN ARE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND STAND FOR ELECTION AFTER THE GERMAN REVOLUTION.

    1957: WOMEN GAIN THE LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK WITHOUT THEIR HUSBAND'S PERMISSION UNDER GERMAN MARRIAGE LAW REFORMS.

    1977: GERMANY REFORMS MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LAWS, ESTABLISHING EQUALITY BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN IN MARRIAGE, INCLUDING SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILDREN AND HOUSEHOLD DECISIONS.

    1979: GERMANY SIGNS THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW), MARKING A COMMITMENT TO GLOBAL WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

    1980: SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE IS RECOGNIZED AS ILLEGAL UNDER GERMAN LABOR LAW.

    1992: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO ABORTION UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS DURING THE FIRST TRIMESTER AFTER MANDATORY COUNSELING UNDER GERMANY’S ABORTION LAW.

    1994: EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK IS INCLUDED IN THE GERMAN CONSTITUTION.

    1997: MARITAL RAPE IS CRIMINALIZED, FINALLY GRANTING WOMEN FULL LEGAL PROTECTION AGAINST VIOLENCE FROM SPOUSES.

    2001: THE FEDERAL EQUAL TREATMENT ACT IS PASSED, PROVIDING LEGAL PROTECTIONS AGAINST GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION.

    2006: GERMANY INTRODUCES PAID PARENTAL LEAVE WITH EQUAL ACCESS FOR BOTH MOTHERS AND FATHERS, WITH 14 MONTHS OF LEAVE THAT CAN BE SHARED BETWEEN PARENTS.

    2016: GERMANY ENACTS THE “WOMEN ON BOARDS” LAW, REQUIRING LARGE COMPANIES TO APPOINT WOMEN TO AT LEAST 30% OF SUPERVISORY BOARD SEATS.

    2018: GERMANY STRENGTHENS SEXUAL ASSAULT LAWS, INCLUDING A “NO MEANS NO” PROVISION, MAKING IT EASIER TO PROSECUTE SEXUAL CRIMES.

    2021: THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT PASSES A LAW MANDATING EQUAL PAY TRANSPARENCY, ALLOWING WOMEN TO DEMAND INFORMATION ABOUT SALARY COMPARISONS WITH MALE COLLEAGUES.

  • 1919: WOMEN ARE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND STAND FOR ELECTION UNDER THE SOVIET UNION, WHICH INCLUDED UKRAINE AT THE TIME.

    1956: UKRAINIAN WOMEN GAIN FULL LEGAL EQUALITY UNDER SOVIET LAW, INCLUDING RIGHTS TO WORK AND ACCESS TO EDUCATION, THOUGH SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GENDER ROLES REMAINED STRICTLY DEFINED.

    1991: WITH UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE, THE CONSTITUTION OF UKRAINE GUARANTEES EQUALITY FOR MEN AND WOMEN IN ALL SPHERES OF PUBLIC LIFE.

    1996: UKRAINE’S NEW CONSTITUTION ENSHRINES GENDER EQUALITY AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT AND PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX.

    2005: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BECOMES A RECOGNIZED CRIME IN UKRAINE, WITH LAWS PUT IN PLACE TO PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN.

    2006: UKRAINE PASSES A LAW ENSURING EQUAL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN, INCLUDING IN EMPLOYMENT AND POLITICAL LIFE.

    2010: UKRAINE LAUNCHES ITS FIRST STATE PROGRAM TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO VICTIMS, WITH A FOCUS ON WOMEN.

    2013: SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE IS MADE ILLEGAL UNDER UKRAINIAN LABOR LAW, PROVIDING LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE.

    2015: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN UKRAINE'S MILITARY, INCLUDING SERVING IN COMBAT ROLES.

    2017: UKRAINE RATIFIES THE LAW ON PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS AND PROVIDING NEW MEASURES FOR PREVENTION AND ASSISTANCE.

    2018: UKRAINE PASSES A LAW GUARANTEEING 126 DAYS OF PAID MATERNITY LEAVE, PROTECTING WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY.

    2020: UKRAINE PASSES GENDER QUOTA LEGISLATION FOR ELECTIONS, REQUIRING POLITICAL PARTIES TO HAVE AT LEAST 30% OF THEIR CANDIDATES BE WOMEN.

    2021: UKRAINE INTRODUCES PAID PATERNITY LEAVE, GIVING FATHERS THE RIGHT TO TAKE LEAVE AFTER THE BIRTH OF A CHILD, PROMOTING SHARED PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

    2022: UKRAINE EXPANDS ITS GENDER EQUALITY LAWS, IMPROVING WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS AND FURTHER ENFORCING EQUAL PAY LAWS.

  • 1791: Olympe de Gouges PUBLISHES THE "DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN AND THE FEMALE CITIZEN," DEMANDING EQUALITY FOR WOMEN DURING THE FRENCH REVOLUTION (BUT IT'S NOT OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED).

    1907: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO CONTROL THEIR OWN EARNINGS, ALLOWING THEM TO LEGALLY KEEP THEIR WAGES.

    1944: WOMEN ARE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND STAND FOR ELECTION AFTER WORLD WAR II.

    1965: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO WORK WITHOUT THEIR HUSBAND'S PERMISSION AND OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT IN THEIR OWN NAME.

    1972: EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK IS MANDATED BY LAW, MARKING A MAJOR STEP FOR WORKPLACE GENDER EQUALITY.

    1975: ABORTION IS LEGALIZED UNDER THE VEIL LAW, ALLOWING WOMEN THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO TERMINATE A PREGNANCY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

    1980: RAPE IS LEGALLY RECOGNIZED AS A CRIME PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

    1983: THE ROUDI LAW IS PASSED, STRENGTHENING EQUAL PAY LAWS AND PROHIBITING SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE.

    1991: ÉDITH CRESSON BECOMES THE FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE.

    2000: FRANCE INTRODUCES A GENDER PARITY LAW REQUIRING POLITICAL PARTIES TO PRESENT AN EQUAL NUMBER OF MALE AND FEMALE CANDIDATES.

    2006: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS RECOGNIZED AS A SPECIFIC CRIME, PROVIDING LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN AGAINST ABUSE.

    2010: FRANCE BANS SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN PUBLIC SPACES AND REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO PREVENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE.

    2017: THE #BALANCETONPORC MOVEMENT (SIMILAR TO #METOO) SPARKS A MAJOR RECKONING AROUND SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND GENDER VIOLENCE.

    2021: FEMINICIDE IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS A SEPARATE CRIME, AND NEW MEASURES ARE INTRODUCED TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

  • 1916: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN, AND ALBERTA. (FIRST PROVINCES TO ALLOW WOMEN TO VOTE)

    1917: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS, BUT ONLY THOSE WHO ARE NURSES OR CLOSE RELATIVES OF SOLDIERS.

    1918: WOMEN (EXCEPT INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND MANY MINORITY GROUPS) ARE GRANTED THE FULL RIGHT TO VOTE IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

    1929: THE FAMOUS FIVE WIN THE "PERSONS CASE," WITH THE BRITISH PRIVY COUNCIL RULING THAT WOMEN ARE "PERSONS" UNDER THE LAW, ALLOWING THEM TO BE APPOINTED TO THE SENATE.

    1940: WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN QUEBEC, THE LAST PROVINCE TO GRANT WOMEN SUFFRAGE.

    1960: INDIGENOUS WOMEN GAIN THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS WITHOUT LOSING THEIR TREATY RIGHTS.

    1969: THE CRIMINAL CODE IS AMENDED TO DECRIMINALIZE CONTRACEPTION AND GRANT ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL.

    1969: ABORTION IS PARTIALLY LEGALIZED, ALLOWING WOMEN ACCESS TO ABORTION IN CERTAIN CASES IF APPROVED BY A HOSPITAL'S THERAPEUTIC ABORTION COMMITTEE.

    1977: SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE IS RECOGNIZED AS A FORM OF DISCRIMINATION UNDER THE CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT.

    1983: RAPE LAWS ARE REFORMED, INCLUDING MAKING MARITAL RAPE ILLEGAL IN CANADA.

    1988: ABORTION IS FULLY LEGALIZED IN CANADA AFTER THE SUPREME COURT RULES IN R. V. MORGENTALER THAT ABORTION LAWS VIOLATE A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO SECURITY OF PERSON.

    1995: EQUALITY RIGHTS FOR WOMEN ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY GUARANTEED UNDER SECTION 15 OF THE CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS.

    2000: CANADA INTRODUCES PAID PARENTAL LEAVE, ALLOWING MOTHERS UP TO 50 WEEKS OF PAID LEAVE AND FATHERS UP TO 35 WEEKS.

    2017: BILL C-16 IS PASSED, ADDING GENDER IDENTITY AND GENDER EXPRESSION AS PROTECTED GROUNDS UNDER THE CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT, PROMOTING GREATER PROTECTIONS FOR TRANS AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING WOMEN.

    2018: CANADA RECOGNIZES FEMINICIDE AS A NATIONAL ISSUE, WITH THE GOVERNMENT TAKING MEASURES TO COMBAT GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.