Dohnal worked in the SPÖ from 1956 and was a minister from 1979 to 1995. Under her leadership, rape within marriage became punishable, guardianship of unmarried mothers was abolished, sexual harassment became a criminal offense, and expulsion in cases of domestic violence became law. Women's shelters, gender quotas, and equal treatment laws were established for the first time. Contemporaries such as Emmy Werner, Gertraud Knoll, Brigitte Ederer, Ferdinand Lacina, Trautl Brandstaller, Käthe Kratz, and Elfie Semotan remember the politician who stood up against male-dominated groups and paid a high price for it. The anger of men towards "the Dohnal" knew no bounds. Feminism was inherently suspicious. The film also looks into Dohnal's personal life. Her partner Annemarie Aufreiter, as well as Dohnal's daughter and granddaughter, are interviewed. It also connects with young feminists of today, such as journalist Hanna Herbst and young socialist Julia Herr.
Biography, Documentary
1h 47min
16+
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NL
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Johanna Dohnal, icon of the Austrian women's movement and first Minister for Women's Affairs, shaped the Alpine Republic like hardly any other.
Dohnal worked in the SPÖ from 1956 and was a minister from 1979 to 1995. Under her leadership, rape within marriage became punishable, guardianship of unmarried mothers was abolished, sexual harassment became a criminal offense, and expulsion in cases of domestic violence became law. Women's shelters, gender quotas, and equal treatment laws were established for the first time. Contemporaries such as Emmy Werner, Gertraud Knoll, Brigitte Ederer, Ferdinand Lacina, Trautl Brandstaller, Käthe Kratz, and Elfie Semotan remember the politician who stood up against male-dominated groups and paid a high price for it.
The anger of men towards "the Dohnal" knew no bounds. Feminism was inherently suspicious. The film also looks into Dohnal's personal life. Her partner Annemarie Aufreiter, as well as Dohnal's daughter and granddaughter, are interviewed. It also connects with young feminists of today, such as journalist Hanna Herbst and young socialist Julia Herr.