Last week, Swedish ambassador Margareta Winberg told Brazilian weekly Veja that Swedish men beat women in an effort to balance the effects of greater equality outside the home. (related article) Facing a firestorm of criticism in Sweden, where it was suggested she should be fired, the ambassador now says that she does not know whether she spoke the truth.

Speaking from a party event in Sweden, Winberg was asked whether she believes what she said the previous week. Does equality cause violence in the home? - I don't know, she responded, but it led to an interesting discussion on equality and violence against women.

In the mean time, an accusation has surfaced that Winberg used black market labor in government operations, which she flatly denies.

Roger F. Gay