Women’s suffrage was demanded and fought for by enlightened, courageous women for many decades against existing prejudices and social conventions. On November 12, 1918, it was finally proclaimed in Germany by the Council of People’s Representatives. For the first time, it was possible for the female part of the population to actively participate in shaping the political balance of power through the right to vote and to campaign politically for their own and general concerns and rights.
It was the first step on the long road to equal rights for women and men, the social equality of the sexes. However, this was far from being achieved: although the right to vote for women was enshrined in law in the Weimar Constitution, there was not a single female minister in the Weimar Republic.
Where do we stand today in terms of equal rights and social equality between men and women? Representatives of the Humanist Association of Germany comment on this historic day.
Bild: Die HoffotografenDr. Ines Petra Scheibe, member of the executive committee of the Humanist Association of Germany and co-founder of the Alliance for Sexual Self-Determination:
“100 years of women’s suffrage would be a good reason to celebrate, but unfortunately there has been stagnation and regression in terms of women’s self-determination and gender equality in Germany in recent years. Both are currently being increasingly questioned and fought against by conservative, nationalist forces and religious fundamentalists. Together with all enlightened, democratic people, we women should not allow this to happen, but continue to actively campaign for full social equality for all people – despite strong headwinds.”
Bild: Die HoffotografenKatrin Raczynski, Chairwoman of the Board of the Humanist Association Berlin-Brandenburg K.d.ö.R.:
“100 years of women’s suffrage: from a historical perspective, this recent achievement in the fight for equal rights makes it clear that what we take for granted today had to be fought for long and hard. We should keep this memory alive, pass it on to our daughters and continue to fight today’s injustice against women. This will only succeed if we stand together, are courageous, break new ground and never stop fighting for the rights of girls and women.”
Bild: Ulrike von ChossyUlrike von Chossy, Vice-President of the Humanist Association of Germany and Head of Education at the Humanist Association of Bavaria:
“100 years of women’s suffrage: it’s hard to know whether to be happy or ashamed. There is still discrimination within the sexes. The fact that the third gender has finally been recognized cannot hide this fact. It is time for us humanists to assert our view of humanity more politically and to continue to promote equal rights for all human beings. There is still so much to do.”
Bild: Markus SchöllhornHedwig Toth-Schmitz, Chairwoman of the Board of the Humanist Association Rhineland-Palatinate/Saarland:
“Fortunately, no one here and now denies women the ability and right to judge political issues. This encourages us to campaign for the implementation of all the other rights that are theoretically recognized in our society but are still a long way from being realized – for example, the right to control one’s own body or the right to equal pay for equal work.”
