Theme 3B: Changing Role and Status of Women acts

Question 1

1918 Restoration of Pre-War Practices

Answer 1

Women who worked during war had to give up their jobs when the men returned

Question 2

1918 Representation of the People Act

Answer 2

Land-owning women over 30 and men over 21 could now vote

Question 3

1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act

Answer 3

Prevented women being barred from careers in law or civil service on basis of gender. Gave greater opportunities when applying for work

Question 4

1922 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act

Answer 4

Raised age of legally accepted consent from 13 to 16

Question 5

1923 Bastardy Act

Answer 5

Allowed children born before marriage to be recognised as legal after parent’s marriage

Question 6

1928 Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act

Answer 6

All women over 21 could vote (same as men)

Question 7

1937 Matrimonial Causes Act

Answer 7

Allowed divorce if either party had been unfaithful, or after 3 years of desertion

Question 8

1940 Women Power Committee

Answer 8

Set up by Nancy Astor, allowed female MPs to abandon strict party loyalties and come together on issues of gender

Question 9

1946 National Insurance Act

Answer 9

Classed non-working wives as dependents who couldn’t claim insurance benefits

Question 10

What sectors introduced equal pay in 1958?

Answer 10

The civil service and the NHS

Question 11

1967 Abortion Act

Answer 11

Abortion legalised up to 28 weeks if two doctors confirmed it was in the best interest of the woman

Question 12

1969 Divorce Reform Act

Answer 12

Made divorce easier for couples

Question 13

1970 Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act

Answer 13

Awarded higher share of couple’s wealth to the woman in divorce settlements. Rates of divorce increased (3 in 1000 to 10 in 1000 by 1976)

Question 14

1970 Equal Pay Act

Answer 14

Prohibited any less favourable treatment between men and women in terms of pay and conditions of employment

Question 15

What was founded in 1973?

Answer 15

The first rape crisis centre opened- over 60 across the UK within a decade

Question 16

1974 National Women’s Aid Federation

Answer 16

United 40 independent women’s refuges into one national body, campaigned for legislation against domestic violence

Question 17

1975 Sex Discrimination Act

Answer 17

Set up the Equal Opportunities Commission, ensured fair employment practices and legal protection against discrimination in education and employment

Question 18

1975 Abortion (Amendment) Act

Answer 18

Didn’t get through parliament, sponsored by the MP for Pollock and attempted to reduce the time limit on abortions to 20 weeks.

Question 19

1976 Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act

Answer 19

Provided courts with the power to impose injunctions on people who assaulted their spouses

Question 20

What did John Corrie sponsor in 1979?

Answer 20

Amending the abortion act- over 80,000 women marched through central London to protest against the act