‘Oh, everything!’ Evelyne said. ‘That’s in answer to the last part of your sentence, of course.’ She sat back in her chair and took a drag on her cigarette. ‘I mean, it was absolutely marvellous when women finally got the vote at federal level after so many bloody years of campaigning, but it was simply shameful it took so long, and it’s not nearly enough. It means nothing as long as women are still controlled and restricted by rules made by men. What’s needed now is a complete revolution, nothing less. We won’t stop until we’ve dismantled the patriarchy and built a new society that doesn’t marginalise women and exploit their bodies.’

‘That’s quite an aim,’ Sylvia said.

‘It certainly is, but there are plenty of us out there fighting for it.’ Evelyne leaned forward, brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. ‘However, it’s slow progress. Part of the problem is that the country’s system of direct democracy requires a referendum for constitutional change, but of course until ’71 only men could vote in national referendums, so progressive policies regarding women’s rights have been few and far between. I mean, that’s why it took so bloody long to get the vote in the first place – only men could vote to give women the vote!’ She shook her head and laughed. ‘Of course, some men are more progressive than others. Here in the canton of Vaud, they granted women the vote back in ’59 – we were the first in the country to get cantonal suffrage.’

‘Meaning you could vote in cantonal elections and referendums but not national ones?’

‘Precisely.’ Evelyne leaned forward to flick ash into the ashtray and looked at Sylvia. ‘I’m sorry, do you know much about the Swiss system? It is rather complicated.’

‘It’s a federal state, made up of different cantons, yes?’

She nodded. ‘Each canton has its own political powers, and can legislate on certain matters, while the federal government deals with nationwide issues. Attitudes can vary widely from canton to canton, so while several progressive cantons granted cantonal suffrage prior to 1971, a couple still haven’t even now.’

‘Still? You mean there are parts of Switzerland where women can now vote on national issues but not cantonal ones?’