Includes index

It was not until 1971 that Swiss women acquired the right to vote at federal level. Since then, they have been assuming their rightful role in Swiss public life. Women who exemplify this evolution discuss its various aspects in 25 Years of Emancipation? two historians examine the struggle for women's suffrage; two sociologists describe the role now played by Swiss women in public life; two leading politicians draw on their experience to assess past difficulties, present achievements and future challenges; several literary specialists assess writing by women since 1971; three Swiss writers and one Scottish writer discuss writing in a minority culture and read from their works and a film director identifies the problems faced by women filmmakers. Drawing on the collective expertise of this range of disciplines, 25 Years of Emancipation? provides a valuable analysis of a period of significant change in Switzerland.