We call for an Equality Committee for Bonn ‘Men and women are equal.’ This is what Article 3 of the Basic Law states – and furthermore: ‘The state promotes the effective enforcement of equal rights for women and men and works towards the elimination of existing disadvantages.’ Is this the case in Germany? No. Gender equality remains a project and has not yet been achieved. Bonn is particularly behind. Details Published: 04 April 2025 Read more …
Act now: Open Letter 'Protecting Democracy, Promoting the Common Good: Online platforms need control Together with more than 75 other organisations from civil society, associations, churches, trade unions and companies, FEMNET has signed an open letter addressed to the current party leaders of the CDU/CSU and SPD. The letter addresses the need to regulate online platforms more closely in order to protect democracy and the common good. Details Published: 04 March 2025 Read more …
© Initiative Supply Chain Act FEMNET statement on the shift to the right in Germany Bonn. Friedrich Merz has torn down a firewall when, at the end of January, he brought about a majority in the Bundestag with the votes of the far-right AfD, instead of finding a response to the terrible murders together with the democratic parties. It's a dangerous caesura. What decisions will Merz decide as a possible chancellor together with the AfD? Right-wing extremism and anti-feminism are closely linked, according to scientific research. The AfD represents a reactionary image of women, and one of its leaders (Maximilian Krah) claims that ‘feminism is cancer’. Even though the AfD has Alice Weidel as its top candidate, the proportion of women in the AfD parliamentary group is just over 13 percent. The shift to the right strengthens the danger of sexism, racism, misogyny. Almost every day there is a femicide in Germany. Every day, more than 140 women and girls in Germany are victims of a sexual offense. Details Published: 06 February 2025 Read more …
© FEMNET New poster: Your guide to fair consumer alternatives How consciously do you consume? The poster invites you to question your own clothing consumption and try out new ways. It encourages us to think about alternatives: Does it always have to be new, or are there sustainable alternatives such as secondhand, loan or exchange? Details Published: 24 January 2025 Read more …
New practical guide: Making purchasing at universities sustainable Universities can use their market power through a conscious procurement practice to achieve great things: The demand for ecologically and socially sustainable textiles and food promotes positive changes along global supply chains. For this reason, this guide supports administrative employees at universities in effectively anchoring sustainability criteria in the award process. Details Published: 17 January 2025 Read more …
Joint statement on Ursula von der Leyen's proposed omnibus directive In order to reduce the bureaucratic burden of ESG reporting obligations, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the so-called Omnibus Directive on 8 November 2024. However, civil society organisations fear that the proposal could weaken key EU corporate responsibility laws. Details Published: 15 January 2025 Read more …
© newafrica-depositphotos.com Eco-social procurement of textiles in health care: Investing in a healthy future The German healthcare system has a significant impact on ecosystems, climate and society. A key measure for the protection of people and the environment is sustainable textile procurement. This approach goes far beyond mere cost efficiency and actively contributes to the implementation of the Planetary Health concept. Details Published: 17 December 2024 Read more …
© Julia Merkel ⁇ BMZ Ten years of the Textile Alliance: A critical consideration of advantages and disadvantages The Textile Alliance celebrated its tenth anniversary on 28 November 2024 with a high-level event at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In addition to Minister Svenja Schulze, FEMNET CEO Dr. Gisela Burckhardt also participated in the panel discussion and contributed key points from a civil society perspective. Another highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. Details Published: 13 December 2024 Read more …
© FEMNET Health is a human right! – New podcast episode by Kleiderei Radio On the 10th. December, the Day of Human Rights, is a special episode of Kleiderei Radio. Hosts Anna and Amelie discuss an often overlooked topic with Anthony Raju V. of Cividep (India) and Danardianingtyas Nitya S. of TURC (Indonesia): the health of women workers in the clothing and footwear industry. Details Published: 10 December 2024 Read more …
© Initiative Supply Chain Act Showcasing instead of effective policy: Union and FDP create uncertainty with supply chain law applications Press statement of the Supply Chain Act initiative in which FEMNET is involved The Bundestag debate on the 5th Heike Drillisch comments on the CDU/CSU and FDP’s requests to repeal the Supply Chain Act for the Supply Chain Act initiative. Details Published: 05 December 2024 Read more …
