Once in a Cabinet we had to deal with the fact that there…
“Once in a Cabinet we had to deal with the fact that there had been an outbreak of assaults on women at night. One minister suggested a curfew; women should stay home after dark. I said, 'But it's the men who are attacking the women. If there's to be a curfew, let the men stay home, not the women.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Addressing gendered violence, the speaker critiques a curfew that would restrict women while ignoring male perpetrators, urging responsibility on men.
In simple terms: A curfew on women is unfair; men should be held accountable.
Key Takeaway
Shift responsibility to men, not women.
Themes
gender equality
justice
policy
responsibility
Mood
determined
critical
advocacy
Type
political
social
ethical
When to use this quote
- government meetings
- public safety debates
- community planning
- activism
- law enforcement
Key Concepts
feminist theory
public policy
social accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- Who is truly responsible for preventing assault?
- How can policies address root causes rather than symptoms?
A Different Perspective
A curfew may protect women but does not stop the underlying aggression.