For over a century, March 8 has stood for feminist struggles for rights, self-determination and social change worldwide. International Women's Day is a reminder of the achievements that feminists have fought for over generations and also that gender equality is still far from being achieved in 2026. The commitment to equal participation of FLINTA remains more necessary than ever.
Structural inequalities still characterize the everyday lives of many people. FLINTA* continue to take on the majority of unpaid care work, are affected by poverty more often than average and continue to earn less than men on average. At the same time, gender-based violence remains a harrowing reality: the increasing number of femicides, domestic violence and sexualized assaults are not isolated cases, but an expression of deeply rooted patriarchal power relations.
It is particularly worrying that cuts are being made in the wrong places at a time of growing social inequality and increasing violence against women* and queer people. In Berlin, too, cuts in education and social services are hitting the very structures that are particularly important for equality, participation and support. Projects, advice centers and initiatives that are committed to violence prevention, gender equality or democratic education are increasingly coming under pressure or having to cut back on their work. Policies that dismantle social infrastructure not only weaken protection against violence and support for those affected. It also jeopardizes the foundations of a solidary and democratic society.
At the same time, we are witnessing a rapid rise in authoritarian, anti-feminist, racist and queer-hostile forces around the world and in Germany. These forces are trying to roll back hard-won rights, delegitimize social diversity and reactivate old patriarchal role models. We are resolutely opposed to this. For us, feminism means standing up against all forms of discrimination, exclusion and misanthropy and fighting in solidarity for a just society.
As a university that stands in the tradition of Alice Salomon, we see ourselves as having a special responsibility. Education and research are key places for making social inequalities visible, questioning discriminatory structures and initiating social change. This is precisely why it is important to defend spaces in which feminist, anti-racist and democratic perspectives can be taught, discussed and further developed.
International Women's* Day reminds us that progress can never be taken for granted. Rights must always be defended and expanded. That's why the same applies in 2026: We will remain loud, we will remain in solidarity and we will remain uncomfortable. For intersectional gender justice, for social security, for strong public services and for a democratic society in which all people can live freely and equally.
This year, on March 9, there will be a call for a global women's strike, because "these threatening times need a sharper instrument than petitions and patient demonstrations. That is why we are laying down paid and unpaid work and calling for a variety of forms of protest and action. Each according to their possibilities. " - say the organizers of the alliance "Enough!".
As ASH, we are participating with a flag-raising ceremony and a buffet as part of a women*/FLINTA* general assembly. Afterwards, everyone is cordially invited to travel together to the Berlin strike action at the Brandenburg Gate.
Mon, 09.03.2026, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. | Foyer, ASH Berlin, Alice Salomon Platz 5, 12627 Berlin
