Yes Minister!
A special interview from the Hot Press archives, first published in 1985: Minister for Women's Affairs Nuala Fennell talks feminism, sex and contraception with HP editor Niall Stokes.
Niall Stokes, 12 Feb 2009
When Nuala Fennell became Ireland’s First Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, it could only be seen as a major step forward. In relation to women’s issues, this country lagged hopelessly behind the rest of Europe. There were so many obvious areas of discrimination that she could act on – progress would be immediate and tangiable, or so it seemed. That kind of optimism was fuelled by the fact that Nuala Fennell herself had been involved in the Women’s Movement through the sixties and the early seventies. She was a feminist with a track record of practical work, and achievement. She would know the score.
But things are seldom as they seem. The radical changes didn’t happen overnight and in some respects – most specifically with the passing of the abortion amendment – the coalition government of which Nuala Fennell was a part, seemed to participate in setting the cause of feminism back years.
Against that backround of some disillusionment, however, progress has been made. From the establishment of a battered wives home under the auspices of the Eastern Health Board and a number of sexual assault treatment units at the Rotunda Hospital, through a further grant aiding the Rape Crisis Centre, to pushing through a number of amendments to the Employment Equality Act – and finally last week releasing the draft of the Status of Children Bill, designed to eliminate discrimination against children born outside marriage – practical measures have been dilligently worked on, and in many cases put into effect. While numerous feminists remain critical, the achievements are undeniable...
And beyond that? The purpose of this interview was not just to look at the hopes and aspirations of the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, but also to discover what makes Nuala Fennell tick. And hopefully to give an insight to men, as well as women (who in most cases may know much better), just how far down the road we’ve still got to go.
Together?
You are, more or less, constantly working with men in the Fine Gael Party. Have you found that a difficult experience compared to your work in the Women’s Movement?
Page 1/12 <Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next>
©Hot Press 2011. Why be a member? | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy