International Day of Democracy, serves as a moment to reflect on the global state of democracy and provides an opportunity to explore the evolution of democracy in South Australia.
The United Nations established the day in 2007, encouraging all members of state to honour and raise awareness of the principles of democracy annually on September 15.
Do you know where the word ‘democracy’ comes from?
It is made up of two Greek words: demos (the people) and kratos (rule). “This ‘government by the people’ is a system in which the highest power is given to the people and used by them or by their elected representatives under a free electoral system.” (www.education.parliament.nsw.gov.au/international-day-of-democracy)
Democracy in South Australia
In South Australia we have a system of representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives to parliament, and they make decisions on their behalf.
South Australia lead the way by granting women the right to vote and stand for parliament in 1894. We were the first colony in Australia to extend equal political rights to men and women.
The Constitution (Female Suffrage) Act granted women the right to vote and to stand for parliament. This included Aboriginal women. South Australia was the first Australian colony to give women these rights.
The first South Australian polling day in which women could participate in was held on 25 April 1896. At this election, the percentage of women who voted was marginally higher than the percentage of men who voted.
On this International Day of Democracy, let’s reflect on the development of democracy in South Australia and how far we have come to have a fair and just democratic system for our citizens.
To find out more about the history of South Australia’s democracy, check out the Democracy Timeline on The Centre of Democracy website - www.centreofdemocracy.sa.gov.au