Bahamas
Historical data on women
Data on women’s right to vote and to stand for election, the date at which the first woman entered parliament, and female Heads of State or Government
Women's suffrage
Date of independence
For countries that become independent after 1940
1973
Women’s right to vote
Women’s right to vote
Year in which women obtained the right to vote
1961
National or local
Suffrage: National or Local
National
Restricted or unrestricted suffrage
Suffrage: Restricted or Universal
Universal
Notes
Suffrage: Additional Notes on right of suffrage
Prior to independence, under British administration, adult male suffrage was introduced in 1959, although members of the electorate satisfying certain property qualifications also received a second vote. Women were granted the vote in 1961 and by 1964 all property qualifications had been abolished. The right to vote was confirmed at independence.
Women’s right to stand for election
Women's right to stand for election
Year in which women obtained the right to stand for election
1962
National or local
Stand for Election: National or Local
National
First woman in parliament
First woman in parliament
Year in which first woman entered parliament
1977
First woman speaker
Year of first woman speaker
Date at which, for the first time in the country's parliamentary history, a woman became Presiding Officer of Parliament or of one of its Houses.
1997