No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsArts and CultureThe Legacy of Women's Suffrage in Costa Rica 74 Years On

The Legacy of Women’s Suffrage in Costa Rica 74 Years On

Yesterday marked a historical milestone for Costa Rica: the 74th anniversary of women’s suffrage. On July 30, 1950, women in Costa Rica exercised their right to vote for the first time.

The historic event took place during a plebiscite, where the towns of La Tigra and La Fortuna decided whether to remain part of San Ramón or to join San Carlos. Ultimately, the communities became part of the new district of San Carlos, but the true significance of the event lay in the equal participation of men and women in the electoral process, according to the National Women’s Institute (INAMU).

Bernarda Vásquez, a 32-year-old housewife from La Tigra, made history as the first woman to vote in Costa Rica. This occasion followed the official recognition of women’s suffrage on June 20, 1949, when 80% of the deputies of the Constituent Assembly of the Second Republic incorporated the principle into the country’s new Constitution.

The journey toward women’s suffrage in Costa Rica was long and challenging, inspired by international debates and local advocates for gender equality. The liberal political generation of the 1880s first raised the possibility of equal suffrage, but it was not until the 1940s, following significant social advances and political reforms, that women were finally granted the right to vote.

In 1913, the government of Ricardo Jiménez proposed reforms to the electoral system, including direct, secret, and universal voting, but the inclusion of women was not approved. Subsequent efforts in 1917 and 1920 also failed to secure women’s voting rights but gained more support.

Women were granted the right to vote in 1949, and by the 1953 National Elections, they could also run for office. María Teresa Obregón, Ana Rosa Chacón, and Estela Quesada, all from the Liberación Nacional party, were elected to the Legislative Assembly.

The progress did not stop there. In 1986, Rosemary Karpinsky became the first woman to serve as President of Congress, and Victoria Garron was appointed Vice-President of the Republic. In 2010, Costa Rica elected its first female president.

The fight for women’s rights in Costa Rica continues. Women are still striving for true equality in all aspects of society.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Seeks New Air Routes Amid Decline in European Tourism

Costa Rica is working to increase the number of international flights entering the country, as it faces a concerning drop in tourist arrivals.  The...

Remittances to Central America Surge 20% Amid U.S. Deportation Fears

Family remittances in Central America grew by around 20% in the first half of 2025, according to official data—a rise that experts attribute to...

Costa Rica Fails to Meet Human Rights Standards for Deportees

The Ombudsman's Office has confirmed that Costa Rica was unprepared to provide adequate care for deportees who have entered the country since February. This...

Costa Rica Food Culture: From Bar Bocas to Fast Food Chains

Once upon a time in Costa Rica, you could walk into a bar, order a beer, and receive a free boca – a small...

Tsunami Alerts in Latin America After 8.8 Quake in Russia

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Far East coast on Wednesday, one of the most powerful quakes ever recorded, triggering tsunamis with waves up...

Costa Rica’s PPSO Backs Laura Fernández to Continue Rodrigo Chaves’s Agenda

Former Minister of Economy Francisco Gamboa and attorney Douglas Soto will join Laura Fernández for the 2026 elections, representing the Sovereign People’s Party (PPSO),...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica