Column “My generation” on the day of the women’s strike: We want RESPECT

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You know what really annoys me? What I read everywhere is that the women’s rights movement is deeply divided. Just on the day of the feminist strike on June 14, we women are being pitted against each other again. Logically we don’t all agree, hopefully neither. After all, we are half the population.

I understand that there are women who cannot stand the 35-hour working week, as required by the strike committee. Or who doesn’t think it’s great that feminist strike day planning is closely linked to unions. Yet women, regardless of their opinion, have one common experience: disrespect.

Every woman has already experienced disrespect – and for this I put my hand on a stone. The fact that we are no longer in the mood for it is the basis of the feminist strike day. The fact that women are not seen as (equal) values ​​is self-evident individually, yet collectively it is linked to the fact that we appear to be women.

For example, we all read the comments on the Lindemann case. The evidence of abuse of power against young women is overwhelming. And yet a group of courageous men refuses to valiantly cover the musician’s back – the key word is the presumption of innocence – and, even worse, trample accusing women into the mud.

Author Margaret Stokowski put it well in 2021: If there are loud calls for the presumption of innocence, then please, from both sides. Also for women who speak publicly about the attacks. Otherwise, they are accused of libel even without “real” evidence. In addition, other victims of sexual violence are intimidated into resisting. A slap in the face for those who may face this on a daily basis.

By the way: a third of German men do not consider it something wild when a woman’s hand slips off. Systemically important jobs such as childcare or nursing, mostly done by women, continue to be poorly paid, while bankers hand out bonuses like there’s no tomorrow and at the same time bust the bank. Under such circumstances, how can one feel that a woman no longer has to fight for more respect?

Going outside with people is a powerful feeling. We are so different and yet share the same suffering. And basically we don’t want much. Aretha Franklin asked for it in 1967, and until I and all the other women get it, you’ll find me on the street striking for it: a little respect.

Source: Blick