Right-wing populist politics is 'extremely anti-women', warns Anna Funder

Acclaimed author Anna Funder has issued a stark warning: right-wing populist politics is 'extremely anti-women.' Funder, who transitioned from international law to a celebrated literary career, shared her insights during a recent interview with ABC Arts.

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I always wanted to be a writer [but] I'm very happy that I did law. I think it equipped me well for certain situations, facing down Stasi men who wanted to lecture me about human rights in their system.

Her literary works, including 'Stasiland' and 'Wifedom,' delve into themes of resistance against oppressive regimes and the often-overlooked contributions of women. 'Stasiland' chronicled the lives of those who defied the East German secret police, earning her the Samuel Johnson Prize. Her latest book, 'Wifedom,' examines the life of Eileen Blair, George Orwell's wife, and her significant, yet understated, influence on his writing.

Funder, recently appointed a professor of practice in creative writing at Sydney University, is preparing for a national speaking tour. She plans to discuss the origins and themes of her acclaimed books. Reflecting on her legal background, Funder stated that law equipped her well for certain challenging situations, even when facing down individuals who sought to lecture her on human rights within their own systems.

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The [Berlin] wall fell in '89, so not long after I was there; I left in '88. No-one had any idea it would fall. Really, no-one.

Her fascination with the East German regime stemmed from her time in West Berlin in the late 1980s, where she witnessed the stark contrast between the oppressive, walled city and the vibrant atmosphere of the West. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 allowed her to explore the lives of those who had lived within the isolated country, investigating the regime that had expelled its most talented individuals.

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It was like an investigation of my friends' past: what was this regime that kicked out its best and brightest, its artists? That was fascinating to me.