Feminism

We talk about gender, queerness, identity and equality from an intersectional perspective. This section tells stories from patriarchy to reproductive rights.
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Current Articles

Instagram series Claire Waldoff: The non-conformist icon

She was cheeky, queer and politically committed: the cabaret artist Claire Waldoff. With her unmistakable voice, the artist shaped the Berlin cabaret scene of the 1920s - until the National Socialists made her performances impossible. However, she remains a role model for stage performers to this day.

Foto: © Florian Mag, art/beats / picture alliance The historic personality Claire Waldoff and the actress of the Instagram series Carolin Karnuth

Antifeminism globally How does antifeminism threaten our democracy? - A résumé

Right-wing populism nowadays often focuses on rejection and resistance to feminism, equality and gender politics. Our five authors from Mexico, Brazil, India, Germany and South Korea resume their observations and make clear that right-wing populism influences gender-specific minority politics and signifies a serious threat to democracy.

Illustration: © Rosa Kammermeier Illustration: Around a globe are the heads of the five authors, between them letters fly around

Feminist Comics Beyond Western Norms

What is a feminist comic? Publisher Urvashi Butalia, author Faye Cura and illustrator Nina Martinez talk about the comic book anthology "Movements and Moments".

Filmstill © Goethe-Institut Filmstill Comic Book "Movements and Moments"

Protest and Movements

Women’s Rights in Iran Like a Phoenix from the Ashes

Western media often reproduce the picture of the suppressed Iranian woman. That harms all the women in Iran who for decades have been standing up for their freedom and rights despite great risks and the threat of persecution.

Photo (detail): © Manouchehr Deghati A black and white photo, a young woman is led through a crowd by several men

Women's Movements in Yemen Making the most of the space available

Yemen’s modern history has never seen a coherent and consistent women’s movement, but rather temporary and fragmented movements with different priorities, such as women’s struggle against human rights violations, and feminists’ focus on combating patriarchal tribal structures that discriminated against women. They all stemmed from genuine concerns for human rights and democracy.

©Nariman El-Mofty/AP; CC BY 2.0 via flickr.com Image of hands holding flour.

Life in exile My Memories Are my Home

Being forced to live in a foreign country can be perilous and full of challenges. The spatial displacement into unfamiliar surroundings thrusts one into a new culture that may lead to loneliness, lack of self-esteem and even depression. However, are there instances where a life in exile can present new opportunities? Omwa Ombara a political asylee and self-declared feminist, shares her experiences in this interview.
 

Photo (detail): ©mauritius images / Tom Gilks / Alamy / Alamy Stock Photos Hand holding a copy of 'The Constitution of Kenya',

Fleeing Afghanistan “One day, I will return”

Afghan photographer Fatimah Hossaini has been living in exile for the past year and continues to stand up for the rights of Afghan women – with her photographs she wants to commemorate them.
 

Photo: © Fatimah Hossaini Yasamin Yarmal and her daughters in a Paris stairwell.

Peace Movement The Feminist Anti-War Movement in Russia and Around the World

Immediately after the beginning of the war in Ukraine, some sections of Russian society sharply criticised the acts of war. An organised, resolute anti-war movement with clearly-defined goals and principles has been set up inside Russia by women, to be more precise, by feminists.

Photo (detail): © Aleksey Dushutin Several people, some wearing helmets, apparently policemen lead away a young woman; it is snowing

Gender Equity What does it take to be a male feminist?

Prof. Austin Bukenya talks about how he came to describe himself as a feminist and about the challenges and chances of male feminists. He explains why it is important for men to internalize gender awareness, instead of just opportunistically faking it and how they should consistently practice it as a way of life.

Foto (detail): © mauritius images / Jozef Polc / Alamy / Alamy Stock Photos A group of women and a man holding hands in solidarity

Women’s Movement in Poland “We Have Had Enough“

Since 2016, women in Poland have been taking to the streets for their rights. They continue to demonstrate, fighting one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. Illustrator Magdalena Kaszuba tells their story in a comic. 

Illustration: © Magdalena Kaszuba Illustration: Face of a woman with the slogan: “Enough” in her mouth

Antifeminism in South Korea The Future of the Gender Democracy

Gender Politics has emerged as the center of mainstream Korean politics. The media and politicians are calling out keywords such as ‘gender conflict’, ‘women and men in their twenties’, and the reboot and backlash of feminism.

Illustration: © Rosa Kammermeier Illustration: A women and a man face each other, she holds a megaphone

Women’s Movement in Poland “What frightens them is that people in small cities are protesting“

The All-Poland Women's Strike is a movement that has mobilised people from big cities and small towns throughout the country. Co-initiator Marta Lempart explains the social and political changes driven by the strike and why it has turned into an anti-government protest.

Photo (detail): Tomasz Gzell © picture alliance Women dressed in black protest on the street

Feminismus in Tschechien & Deutschland Die Nation ist maskulin

Kaum etwas unterscheidet tschechische und deutsche Gesellschaft so sehr wie die Auffassung vom Feminismus. Bestrebungen zur Gleichberechtigung gingen in beiden Ländern von Anfang an verschiedene Wege.

Foto (Detail): © Petr Zewlakk Vrabec Protestzug auf den Straßen Prags

Kaum etwas unterscheidet tschechische und deutsche Gesellschaft so sehr wie die Auffassung vom Feminismus. Bestrebungen zur Gleichberechtigung gingen in beiden Ländern von Anfang an verschiedene Wege.

Myths and Power

Women’s Rights in Brazil Between Advances and Setbacks

Obstetric violence, sex education in schools, defending reproductive rights, gender equity, and abortion were recurrent topics—both in the media and on social networks—over the past year in Brazil. Despite resistance from reactionary groups, such topics have increasingly been seen as health issues as opposed to moral issues.

Foto (Detail): © Arthur Menescal Frau hält Rote Fahne; Im Hintergrund Menschenmenge mit Luftballons

Gender Images in Literature Of Angels, Monsters and Departing Women

Since time immemorial, Western literature has been characterised by stereotypical notions of gender. Myths and fairy tales, classical and modern literature are teeming with brave courageous heroes and long-suffering female figures. What is going on here and what is the negotiation actually about?

Filmstill (detail): © picture alliance A black and white film still, on the right you see the witch handing Snow White, sitting on the left, an apple.

How does antifeminism threaten our democracy?

Internalised Misogyny The Anti-Women Attitude inside Us

Discrimination comes from outside – many people think. Yet we all internalise misogyny. Why is that?

Photo (detail): Diane Bondareff © picture alliance / AP Photo Many diverse toy barbies against black background

Gender Equality Rwanda as a Role Model? How Free Are Women Really?

Rwanda is often praised in the media when it comes to equal rights for men and women. But to what extent does the external image of the Rwandan woman coincide with the woman in private? A conversation about successes, ambivalences and hurdles on the way to gender equality.

Photo (detail): Jean Bizimana © Reuters Genocide Memorial in Gisozi

Female DJs More Women Working the Turntables

female:pressure – a network helping to boost the number of female DJs.

Photo (detail): GGut live Sonoras 2018 © Jose M. Pedrajas Gudrun Gut has been a driving force in the music scene since the 1980s.

Masculinity When Is a Man a Man?

What does being a man mean these days? We have asked a few people in Germany what masculinity means to them.

Photo (detail): © János Erkens / Felix Schmitt Concepts of masculinity and role models: What does it mean today to be a man?

Empowerment and Community

Trans Literature from Argentinia “Identities Matter Little to Me”

The Argentinean writer Camila Sosa Villada defends the term “travesti” in contrast to the category “trans woman,” says she considers “identity a prison” and states categorically that: “People love our suffering.”

Photo: Laura Zanotti Camila Sosa Villada

Community in India The way to independence is through the stomach

There are plenty of snack bars in Mumbai, but very few are run by women. The women’s cooperative Kutumb Sakhi is an exception. Not only do they serve tasty home cooking here, but women are also given the opportunity to support their families.
 

Foto (detail): © Natalie Mayroth Six people stand in line outside the snack bar waiting for their food

Rise Like A Phoenix: Drag-Kultur auf dem Land

From deacon to drag queen? Drag in the countryside? Japanese lipsyncs? Slutty, but classy? We met with Liberty Lestrange, Miss Galaxia and Fräulein V fromt the House of Blaenk and accompanied them to Tecklenburg for their show.

Photo (filmstill): © Silvan Hagenbrock Close-Up of a dragqueen putting on make up

Care Work From Caring Communities to Caring Cities

The problem of unpaid care work is attracting increasing attention. But what are so-called queer care communities and why are they still needed? Alek B. Gerber describes how people are forced to close the supply gaps in public nursing care themselves.
 

Photo (detail): Sebastian Gollnow © picture alliance/dpa A kindergarten teacher reads to children.

Safe(r) Spaces A Break from the World

Safe(r) Spaces: Many marginalised groups urgently need safe places where they can protect themselves from discrimination and communicate amongst themselves. The term is increasingly entering the discourse because spaces are never completely safe - we can only make them safer.

Photo: © Olaf Schülke © picture alliance / SZ Photo People in a waiting room

Female Post-Migrant Writing Who Is Included and Who Defines Reality?

Why do we believe storytellers? And why do they sometimes have to lie to us? A discussion in German with Shida Bazyar about female, post-migrant writing, the NSU and literary criticism.

Photo (detail): © Georg Wendt © picture alliance / dpa Shida Bazyar

Family Law Queer Families

Same-sex marriage and the third gender are legally recognized in Germany. But what are the consequences for the families concerned? An interview with professor of family law Nina Dethloff.

Photo (detail): Jens Kalaene; © dpa Figures of a father with child and a family with children - glued to the building of the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth

About Feminisms

Forgotten Voices Seven Feminists You Should Know

We all know Judith Butler and Beyoncé. But most of us have never heard of many of the women who fought for equality throughout history. Seven women you should know.
 

Photo (detail): © picture alliance / Photoshot Self-portrait of Inji Aflatoun in prison, 1961.

Feminist Movements From Womanism to Witch Feminism

The overarching goal of all feminist movements is to put an end to sexist oppression. Feminists of different stripes have very different ideas about how to achieve this goal. An overview.

Photo (detail): Jordi Boixareu © ZUMAPRESS.com 2021 International women’s day graffiti

Intersectional Feminism A Community Garden

Diversity is not easy, but beautiful in many ways. The path towards equality mustn’t be a maze, but a community garden. In her essay, Dr. Michaela Dudley shows that the women’s movement can only hope for lasting progress if we understand it as intersectional. 

Photo (detail): John Nacion / STAR MAX / IPx © picture alliance / zz  A statue of Sojourner Truth in New York’s Central Park