Women’s Day Germany
Women’s Right to Vote in Germany
November 12, (1918)

Number of female heads of state to date: 3

Women’s Day Germany, Women’s Right to Vote, Women’s Suffrage
German women line up in Berlin to vote for the first time, in 1919.

The women’s right to vote in Germany has a complex history, with milestones achieved over several decades.

The struggle for women’s suffrage in Germany began in the late 19th century, as women organized and campaigned for equal political rights. However, it wasn’t until after World War I that significant progress was made.

In 1918, following the end of World War I and the collapse of the German Empire, Germany underwent a period of political transformation. The Weimar Constitution, enacted in 1919, granted women the right to vote and stand for election on equal terms with men. This was a significant step forward for women’s rights in Germany and marked a pivotal moment in the country’s history.

With the right to vote, German women participated in elections and engaged in political activities. They played active roles in shaping the political landscape, advocating for their rights, and contributing to social and political reforms.

However, the rise of the Nazi regime in the 1930s brought a setback for women’s rights and political participation. The Nazis propagated traditional gender roles and sought to restrict women’s involvement in public and political life.

After World War II, Germany underwent a process of reconstruction and political transformation. The Basic Law of 1949, which served as the constitution of West Germany (and later unified Germany), reaffirmed women’s right to vote and ensured their equal participation in the democratic process.

In the years that followed, efforts were made to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in German politics. Policies and initiatives aimed at increasing women’s representation in elected positions were implemented, such as gender quotas for political parties and measures to support women’s career advancement in politics.

Today, women in Germany actively participate in politics at various levels, including the federal and state parliaments, local councils, and European institutions. Germany has had a female chancellor, Angela Merkel, who served from 2005 to 2021, highlighting women’s leadership in the country.

Nevertheless, challenges remain in achieving full gender equality in politics. Women’s representation in some areas, particularly at the highest levels of political leadership, is still relatively low. Ongoing efforts are needed to address barriers, promote women’s political participation, and create an inclusive political environment.

The women’s right to vote in Germany represents a significant achievement in the country’s democratic development and reflects the recognition of women as equal citizens. It underscores the importance of women’s active participation in the political process and the ongoing work toward achieving gender equality in German politics and society as a whole.

The Roles and Representations of Women in the Weimar Republic

by Tori Maher
All aspects of German life were shaped by the upheaval and challenges faced during the Weimar Republic. Created in 1918 out of the defeat and chaos of the First World War, the Weimar Republic looked to be a rejection of old Imperial traditions and an embrace of modern democracy. During the years 1918 to 1932, no other group was affected as much as German women, as they bore the brunt of societies expectations for the future stability and health of the German nation. Women’s roles and responsibilities changed in reaction to the different challenges and opportunities that were afforded to them during this turbulent period of German history.

Female suffrage

One of the most defining features of the new republic was the creation of a democratic Weimar Constitution in 1919. The Weimar Constitution gave women a relatively progressive power in 1919, the right to vote, which drastically altered how women were viewed and the roles they could undertake. The vote gave women a sense of emancipation they had never had before, but it also allowed them to have a practical say in the political decisions that were being made for them. 49 women were even elected to the parliament in the first elections held in 1919, showing German society that women and men believed in the important role women could play within the institutions of power. While female suffrage and the newly elected female voices in parliament had the ability to influence party policies, the vote had not altered the traditional values of German society that the First World War had helped to cement. “Motherly” politics that focused on the family unit became staples of numerous political parties as they were seen as a way to protect and preserve the moral fabric of German society. While the gesture of female emancipation and suffrage marked a shift in attitudes towards women, it was ultimately met with a traditional backlash. The German constitution retained Imperial laws such as criminalisation of abortion and limited access to birth control, laws which were viewed as essential for promoting marriage and repopulating Germany after the war.
makinghistoryatmacquarie.wordpress.com/the-roles-and-representations-of-women-in-the-weimar-republic/

Six things to know about women’s rights in Germany

> thelocal.de/six-things-to-know-about-womens-rights-in-germany

Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel is the first female chancellor in Germany, it’s a huge progress for this country. She is chancellor since 2005. The number of women in politics is progressing now and a new generation of leaders is coming.

Biography of Angela Merkel
biography.com/angela-merkel
Merkel marks 10 years as Germany’s first female chancellor
dw.com/merkel-marks-10-years-as-germanys-first-female-chancellor/a-18867101
Article about progress
independent.co.uk/women-in-politics-map-2014-shows-gender-equality-in-parliaments-could-be-achieved-in-less-than-20-9185399.html
New generation of female political leaders
spiegel.de/letter-from-berlin-germany-s-new-generation-of-female-political-leaders-a-741348.htm

Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Europe After Merkel

In the 30 years since its reunification, Germany has driven the European Union forward. Through the bloc’s growth in size and influence, and in the face of economic and humanitarian crises, Germany has assumed a leadership role – especially since Angela Merkel’s chancellorship in 2005. As Merkel now prepares to leave the stage, who will lead the defense of liberal, democratic values at a time when the EU faces a number of serious tests? Join the Council and a panel of experts on the 31st anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall for a conversation on Germany and Europe’s uncertain future.