March 8th marks International Women’s Day—a day to celebrate progress, acknowledge ongoing inequalities, and amplify female voices in all spheres of society. Let's have a look at female storytellers, feminist perspectives and eyeopening projects!
March 8th marks International Women’s Day—a day to celebrate progress, acknowledge ongoing inequalities, and amplify female voices in all spheres of society. For over a century, this day has drawn global attention to women’s rights, gender equality, and still existing inequality.
The origins of this day date back to 1908, when the Socialist Party of America organized the first “Women’s Day” to advocate for women’s suffrage. Inspired by these movements, German socialist Clara Zetkin proposed an international day of action in 1911, leading to mass protests in Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Switzerland. The day became a platform for demanding equal rights, better working conditions, and political participation. In 1975, the United Nations officially recognized March 8th as International Women’s Day, cementing its status as a global movement. And since 2019, Berlin has celebrated International Women's Day as an official public holiday, making it the first German state to do so.
Despite progress, gender inequality remains a pressing issue—especially in the workplace. In 2024, women* in Germany still earn on average 16% less per hour than men. The pay gap varies significantly across industries, reaching 26% in financial and insurance services, 25% in scientific and technical fields, and 21% in arts and entertainment. And especially in leadership positions, women are still massively underrepresented.
Equality is not just about wages and leadership—it’s also about whose voices are heard. For centuries, storytelling has been dominated by men, shaping cultural narratives in literature, film, and journalism. Women remain underrepresented in these fields: fewer female authors hit bestseller lists, fewer women direct films, and funding for female-driven creative projects is scarce.
Yet feminist authors, filmmakers, and artists continue to challenge these imbalances, offering complex and powerful narratives that go beyond stereotypes. Their work is essential in shifting perspectives, fostering empathy, and ensuring that women’s stories are told authentically. But feminist storytelling must go beyond a binary lens. Gender is not limited to women and men, and true representation means creating space for the voices of queer*, non-binary*, and trans* people as well. Their experiences remain even more marginalized in mainstream media, reinforcing narrow ideas of identity.
At the same time, feminism must be intersectional—because oppression is not experienced in the same way by all women. A white woman’s struggle for recognition is not the same as that of a Black woman, an immigrant woman, or a queer woman. The barriers multiply at the intersections of race, class, disability, and sexuality. When only certain perspectives are heard, the power to define culture remains in the hands of the privileged.
True equality requires more than legal protections—it demands visibility, representation, and structural change. Women* must be able to share their stories, lead in their fields, and receive equal opportunities. That’s why we would love to highlight a few female storytellers and their fantastic work. From multiple backgrounds, different forms of storytelling and diverse perspectives, they share stories of female struggle and gender inequality, but also of empowerment, sisterhood and the power of resistance.
Erika and Tine are both 81 years old and have been a couple for over 40 years. Together, they live and work at Kunsthof Lietzen in Brandenburg, reflecting on a shared history full of movement and change. With their curiosity and openness, Erika and Tine question everything—the past and the present alike. A poignant documentary about love, art, self-determination in the GDR, and staying true to oneself and one’s ideals.
Jamila(9), Rachel(11) and Faseeha(12) are part of the Berlin rap crew @sisterqueens_berlin. As they rap about social injustice, they raise important questions about identity, equality and self-determination - redefining feminism one verse at a time.
Luci forms a women’s football team at the Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana. Despite different pasts, the players are united by loss and a love for the game. Their first big challenge awaits—a match against a prestigious school.
Each month, authors gather in a quiet study to speak of two beloved books—how they found them, how they changed them, and how reading and writing intertwine.
About a young woman living her dream, despite her difficult escape from Iran and a life in refugee shelters. From management consultant to café owner and founder, her story is a testament to courage, perseverance, and the power of determination.
Immerse yourself into the vibrant world of Maremoto, a young Mexican cartoonist. With her art, Maremoto fights for equal rights, empowers other women, and criticizes patriarchal structures.
This year, we’re once again bringing together fearless voices who are shaping the future of all kinds of storytelling. Let’s continue pushing for visibility, ensuring that women’s voices are heard, their stories told and structures shaped towards more equality!
