14 AUGUST 1993, Page 20

The better half

Sir: Naim Sullivan writes that my use of the phrase 'minorities like women' is incorrect because 'women comprise exactly half the population' (Letters, 7 August). This is untrue: in most countries, women comprise at least 51 per cent of the population. My use of the phrase 'minorities like women' was meant to be funny. However, perhaps this proves that we women have no sense of humour.

Anne Applebaum 11 Cranley Gardens, London SW7