Women in Hungarian Politics, 1945-1951

Analyses the dualism between the declaration of women's emancipation in 1945 and the spread of communism that effectively ended this by 1951. Namely, womens' associations, societies and involvement in political parties were replaced and usurped by a single communist organisation.

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Using primary source material, "Women in Hungarian Politics" comprises a study on Hungarian women's political involvement in post World War II Hungary. Against the declaration of women's emancipation in 1945, Pet analyses the participation of women in politics in women's associations, in political parties and the colourful world of women's societies. Addressing the impact of the spread of communism, we see how some of the key organisations such as the Feminist Association, various Jewish women's societies and the women's section of the Social Democratic Party, gradually ceased to exit. By 1951 women's emancipation was effectively over, and the aforementioned institutions replaced by a single, communist dominated organization. An insight into emotions during the period is analysed by providing two women's testimonies, as is the sexual politics of the period through sexual harassment cases. A list of Hungarian women's association's between 1945-1951 is also included.