On the eve of World War I in 1913, women in Russia and other parts of Europe used International Women's Day to campaign against the war and to express women's solidarity across nations. They campaigned for "bread and peace". The strike by Russian women in response to the high death toll of soldiers - their sons and husbands - during the war forced the Tsar to abdicate power in 1917. Russian women, led by Alexandra Kollontai, a socialist, achieved the right to vote. Russian women like Alexandra Kollontai and other women successfully fought for the women's vote, and also for the right and benefits of women to maternity leave, including for single women. This was included in the socialist programme.