Citizenship Denied: Women’s Lack of Political Rights and the Constitutional Metamorphosis of the Principle of Equality

This essay explores the constitutional evolution of female citizenship and begins with Aristotle’s definition of citizenship in ancient Greece in order to emphasize the enduring lack of women’s participation in government functions and public offices. It then examines the systematic denial of political rights to women, a pervasive issue throughout the history of constitutionalism that has perpetuated the principle of political patriarchy. The exclusion of women from politics was perceived not merely as a violation of political equality, but rather as a constitutional reflection of their distinct nature. However, a significant shift occurred in the twentieth century, marked by constitutional transformations in western democracies aimed at dismantling male-centric political rights. This ongoing process has led to a redefinition of the principle of equality within constitutional frameworks. The essay argues that justice, rather than mere equality, is the driving force behind ongoing constitutional changes shaping female citizenship in the modern era.