Women played very significant roles in nationalist struggles all over the world . They actively participated in movements , faced the tortures of police , stood by their male counterparts , spread the idea of liberal nationalism and were also members of various revolutionary organisations . A good example is the French revolution , in which men and women participated equally . Even the concept of liberty is personified as a woman . In spite of this , they were given little or no political rights or right to vote till the end of 19th century .