Where are the women?

I have noticed, with some irritation, that there are only two women in the new Cabinet, and none of them are known for their path breaking views on equality.

I am inclined to feel faintly patronised by the fact that we need a Minister for Women -it appears to me to be an acknowledgement and reinforcement of the marginalisation of women. I am, of course, all in favour of recognising the extent to which women have been marginalised in public life. A quick look at the gender make-up of Parliament, the judiciary etc proves the point. However, I sometimes think that having a Minister for Women almost enables the ruling male classes to pigeon-hole our concerns more readily instead of focussing on mainstreaming. This all has a wiff of tokenism to me.