Global icons of women's rights

After World War I, women in Germany were fighting for equality in areas beyond access to education. Those working in factories became a driving force of this movement. Clara Zetkin was involved in organizing women's unionization and also actively campaigned for women's suffrage. She was also opposed to the German law that banned abortion. Clara Zetkin initiated the idea of Women's Day.

Simone de Beauvoir's 1949 book, "The Second Sex," is widely regarded as the foundation of modern feminism. In it, the French philosopher analyzed how societal gender roles are constructed to keep women in a submissive role. De Beauvoir radically questioned power, sexuality, motherhood and economic dependence at a time when these issues were rarely challenged and discussed publicly.

In 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat for a white passenger. Her silent act of resistance marked a turning point for the civil rights movement and the fight against segregation. She had long been supporting women who had experienced sexual violence and fighting for equality, dignity and autonomy, especially for Black women.

Journalist, activist and co-founder of Ms. magazine: Gloria Steinem was a leading voice of second-wave feminism in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. Through her journalism, she brought attention to issues such as equal pay for women and sexual autonomy. By combining her activism with her professional reach, she placed feminist debates at the center of US public discourse.

Davis is a philosopher, activist and Black Power icon. In the 1970s, she faced political persecution and was jailed for over a year on charges of conspiracy to commit murder. She became an international icon after her acquittal. Her insight that people can experience multiple forms of discrimination simultaneously is the foundation for contemporary debates on intersectionallity worldwide.

After publicly advocating for girls' right to attend school in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by a Taliban member in 2012. She survived and continued her fight for equality on a global stage. She then received the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17, becoming the award's youngest laureate in history. Malala remains committed to advancing young women's rights worldwide.

The Nigerian writer became one of the most influential voices of global feminism with her TED Talk "The Danger of a Single Story" and her book "We Should All Be Feminists." Adichie writes and speaks about gender roles, power structures and cultural expectations — thereby reaching an international audience.

In 2006, Tarana Burke coined the phrase "me too" in solidarity with women having experienced sexual violence. In 2017, the hashtag #MeToo became a global movement — with major consequences for media, politics and workplaces. For Burke, #MeToo is not just about high-profile cases, but also about making everyday violence visible, everywhere. Her activism has fundamentally changed power structures.

The Yazidi human rights activist was kidnapped and abused by the "Islamic State" terror group. After she escaped, Nadia Murad began raising global awareness on sexual violence as a weapon in war. In 2018, she received the Nobel Peace Prize. She also campaigns for the judicial prosecution of the perpetrators and has brought the debate on war crimes and women's rights to a new level.

Sanna Marin served as Finland's prime minister from 2019 to 2023. She represents a generation of female political leaders who embrace their womanhood and link it confidently to power. During her time in office, she sparked international debates on gender roles and the media's scrutiny of women's private lives. She embodies modern feminism in everyday political life.

Gisele Pelicot earned international recognition in 2024, when she waived her anonymity during the trial against her former husband, who had drugged her and invited other men to rape her. Her stance: It is not the victim who should feel shame, but the perpetrators. Her book, "A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides," has become a symbol in the fight against sexual violence.