Women's Liberal Federation
[1] The establishment of a national organisation was agreed, and this occurred in 1887, when members of forty associations met in London.
It was believed that women were too emotional, irrational, and indecisive to uphold positions in government roles, and instead should focus on the family rather than a career.
In turn, the Women's Liberal Federation actively worked to overcome these ideas and values upheld in the society.
These values also posed another issue for the women's suffrage movement and the Liberal government in the United Kingdom.
The Liberal government also worked alongside other women's suffrage groups to petition Parliament and create more inclusive bills and laws.
The United Kingdom suffrage movement, including the WLF, worked to make strides in ensuring these rights.
As a whole, the government and these groups were in favour of raising taxes for the general public as a way to fund workers' sickness and unemployment benefits.
However, when they faced backlash and opposition to this potential bill, these suffragette campaigns aimed to work even harder and even stronger in order to gain success.
The suffragette movement groups used this knowledge to remind the society that the war could not have been carried out without the help of these women.
This information influenced the production of the Representation of the People Act of 1918, which would grant nearly all men and women the right to vote under certain circumstances.
That year, William Gladstone wrote a letter opposing votes for women, and the group held a three day debate to establish a firm position.
[9] The federation addressed many issues of the time, supporting the Women's Suffrage Movement, petitioning in favour of the Midwives Bill, backing the Infant Life Protection Bill, helping to establish the Anti-Vivisection Movement, and starting Anti-War initiatives against engagement in the Second Boer War.
During this era, the use of midwives in the birthing process was common, and a more accessible option for poor and rural individuals.
"[10] The bill proposed that, in the interest of public safety, midwives and monthly nurses should be registered, formally assessed, and licensed by the state.
The bill states that the midwives were often employed by lower-class families and that their role in poorer communities meant that, because they serviced higher-risk populations in the place of a medical man, there needed to be greater oversight in who was practicing midwifery.
[11] These bills were favoured by the Women's Liberal Federation because it was believed that they would assist in combating child cruelty, neglect, and infanticide.
The publication states that “a large number of cases of cruelty to children have been brought before judges, magistrates, and coroners in all parts of the country”.
From 1899 to 1902, groups such as the Women's Liberal Federation maintained pacifist ideals, opposing the war in the Transvaal Republic, citing "what it perceived to be a dangerous spirit of militarism and jingoism abroad in the land.
"[13] The spirit of colonial ideals was burning bright in Britain, and members of the Women's Liberal Federation feared what war would do to the nation regardless of whether they won or lost.
