Andorra's General Council has launched a tribute to 1960s suffragettes in its new headquarters

The General Council has opened a temporary exhibition in the Sala dels Passos Perduts of its new headquarters, honouring Andorran suffragettes who fought for voting rights in the late 1960s. Titled "We Need All of Us" in Catalan as Ens necessitem totes, the display coincides with the summer tourist season and complements guided tours of Casa de la Vall, including the new hemicycle.

General Sindic Carles Ensenyat inaugurated the exhibition on Wednesday, describing it as a tribute to pioneers including Joaquima Calvó, Elidà Amigó, Carme Sauquet, Concepció Baudí, Montserrat Jordana, Paquita Mandicó, Joana Cerdà, Carme Travesset, Pepita Aguilar, and the recently deceased Angelina Mas. He emphasised that it also recognises unsung contributors, such as wives of active politicians who campaigned behind the scenes despite not signing petitions.

The centrepiece is an artwork by Joana Baygual: a cotton canvas embroidered with gold thread reproducing 378 signatures from a 15 May 1968 petition to the General Council. That document requested "the faculty to exercise the rights of full Andorran citizenship," paving the way for women's suffrage in 1970 and eligibility to stand for election in 1973.

Additional items include photographs from the National Archive of Andorra depicting women voting in the 14 December 1971 General Council elections, their first at the polls. On loan from the Andorra la Vella commune is an antique wooden and iron ballot box used to collect some of those early female votes. Ensenyat thanked the commune for the gesture.

Exhibition commissioner Xavier Llovera noted the display's relevance amid growing discussions on women's roles, linking it to post-1968 French events and Andorra's historical progress. He said it highlights "connections with the past," aligning with ongoing narratives for Casa de la Vall tours.

The public exhibition remains open in the Passos Perduts area for viewing alongside council visits.