A Male Ear For Feminists (Press, 21 April 1979)

On 21 April 1979, the New Zealand Government appointed Mr McLay, the Minister of Justice, as the Cabinet spokesman on women’s affairs, raising concerns because he is not a woman. This appointment suggests that Mr McLay will primarily communicate Government policy related to women's interests, leading to the perception that he may hold significant influence over women’s affairs within the Cabinet. Despite the contention that a dedicated female voice might have been more appropriate, this move appears to acknowledge the need for specific attention to be given to issues traditionally affecting women and other disadvantaged groups. Critics argue that the requirement for a spokesman on women’s affairs itself may be unnecessary, but the appointment indicates that the Government recognises the importance of addressing these issues. It raises a critical question about the effectiveness of the appointment: which individuals should those advocating for women’s interests direct their efforts towards? The article posits that it is paramount for these advocates to engage with someone who has the ability to effect real change, rather than merely providing a platform for conversation without influence. To achieve meaningful progress, women’s advocates are encouraged to seek engagement with male members of the House and Government, as their persuasion is vital for enacting policies that will actively support women’s rights. While they have a sympathetic ear in Miss Marilyn Waring, a female member of Parliament, the article contends that this is insufficient. The real challenge is to persuade the predominantly male Cabinet to adopt a more active role in advancing women’s causes. Through Mr McLay’s position as a spokesman, there is now a renewed opportunity for advocates to communicate directly with the Cabinet and influence policy decisions that can lead to the drafting of supportive legislation, the repeal of discriminatory laws, and improvements in administrative practices for women’s affairs.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand