Reflections on Voting, Suffrage, and Participation
Current Discussions on Elections in Aotearoa New Zealand
Right now, elections and voting are a prominent topic of discussion in Aotearoa New Zealand. The triennial local government elections are underway, and there is ongoing debate about voter participation. Notably, during the 2023 local government elections, only 40.88% of eligible voters cast their ballots. In comparison, the 2023 General Election saw a turnout of 77.1%.
Unlike Australia—where voting is compulsory, as it is in 13% of the world’s democracies—Aotearoa New Zealand does not require eligible citizens to vote. This distinction raises important questions about civic engagement and the relevance of voting in our society.
Relevance to Soroptimist International
This discussion is especially pertinent at the SISEAP Federation level, where nominations for the 2026–2028 SISEAP positions have recently opened. Similarly, Soroptimist International ANZ has invited members to step up to national governance positions. These calls for participation highlight the opportunities available for members to engage in leadership and governance within the organisation.
The Privilege of Participation
It is important to recognise how fortunate we are that most women in our Federation—and at many levels—are free to vote and pursue leadership roles. Many women around the world still face significant barriers to these privileges. For example, I recently learned that women, particularly from the Global South, were prevented from attending the 2025 UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York. The main reasons cited were restrictive US visa policies, insufficient funding, limited travel resources, and other structural barriers.
This situation highlights the ongoing unfairness that persists globally. Despite the progress women have made, there are still many countries where it remains difficult for women to vote or participate in governance.
Historical Perspectives on Suffrage
Reflecting on our own history, I realised I knew little about the suffrage journey within our own SISEAP Federation. Research revealed that progress towards women’s right to vote has varied greatly across regions. On 19th September 2025, women in Aotearoa New Zealand celebrated the 132nd anniversary of women’s suffrage. Kate Sheppard, a leading New Zealand suffragist, was instrumental in organising the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition, which led New Zealand to become the first country in the world to establish universal suffrage.
When travelling in the United States, I was reminded by a local that Wyoming, in 1869, was the first territory to grant women the right to vote and hold office, making it a pioneer in women’s suffrage in the US. According to Wikipedia, Mongolian women were able to vote and be elected as President by 1924. In Australia, women gained the right to vote at the federal level in 1902, with this right extended to all women in 1962. Malaysian women received the right to vote in 1957, coinciding with the country’s independence, marking a major milestone towards gender equality. In Fiji, the general elections held in April–May 1963 allowed women and indigenous Fijians to vote for the first time alongside other populations.
A Call to Action
With this history in mind, I encourage members to consider stepping up to local and Federation Soroptimist positions. By doing so, you not only have the opportunity to influence the future of our organisation but also to develop your own leadership skills and experiences.
At Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific, we find ourselves at a crossroads: we must choose to modernise and grow, or we risk further decline in membership.
Reflections on the Past and Present
As we reflect on these issues, one might wonder what our ancestors would think of the current decline in voter participation and the persistent barriers to equality faced by so many women today.
Kristeen Johnston
2024-2026 SISEAP Membership Convenor
membership.kristeen@siseap.org
