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Unbearably strong: exhibition on the GDR women’s movement in Dresden!”
Exhibition about the women's movement in the GDR in the Kulturpalast Dresden from July 21st to August 14th - importance for equal rights.
Unbearably strong: exhibition on the GDR women’s movement in Dresden!”
Are you ready to delve into the historiography of the women's movement in the GDR? From July 21, 2025, the Dresden Municipal Libraries and the Technical University of Dresden invite you to an exciting exhibition entitled“Together we are unbearable”a. This event, organized by the Agency for Education – History, Politics and Media e.V., highlights the role of the women's movement, which made a significant contribution to the Peaceful Revolution.
The exhibition can be viewed until August 14th in the Central Library in the Kulturpalast Dresden, Schloßstraße 2. The grand opening will take place on July 24th at 6 p.m. and will be hosted by a live podcast from the Technical University entitledYou Ask We Explainas well as the seriesTUD Lectures Plus, moderated by Lisa-Marie Eberharter, accompanied.
An important voice in social discourse
Annekatrin Klepsch, the representative for culture, science and tourism in Dresden, emphasizes the importance of the women's movement in today's social debate. The movement's actors were not only pioneers of equal rights, but also organized critical leaflets and protests under Stasi surveillance. Her ideas continue to influence discussions about freedom, equality and civil courage in Germany today.
From the early years after the Second World War, women in Germany were actively committed to their rights. The training of officials of the Democratic Women's Association of Germany (DFD) took place in Freiberg in 1947, shortly after the organization was founded. In the year it was founded, the DFD already had over 200,000 members and represented a central institution for the women's movement.
Roots and resistance of the women's movement
The women's movement in the GDR was characterized by a new feminist self-confidence and the demand for equality in various areas of society. Among other things, the DFD called for traditional men's jobs to be opened up to women and was actively involved in drafting laws. Despite initial successes, the political emancipation of women in the GDR stagnated, primarily due to the influence of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED).
A milestone was the anchoring of Article 7 in the GDR constitution of 1949, which states: “Men and women have equal rights”. Women from the DFD initiated this initiative. But over time, the DFD lost its independence due to internal conflicts and integration into the SED system, which ultimately reduced women's political achievements and impaired the strengthening of their social position.
The final event on August 14th will provide an opportunity to hear from contemporary witnesses and actors and learn about their experiences and insights. There is an extensive accompanying program from the Technical University of Dresden with conversations, films and student contributions that will deepen the complex topic of the women's movement.
Take the opportunity to experience first hand the stories of women who fought so hard for equality and be inspired by a piece of history that is still relevant today. The association Wochenkurier, the City of Dresden and the bpb have taken on this important topic, which stimulates thought and underlines the relevance of the women's movement for our society today.