Original language: German
The 2016 Anne Klein Women’s Award goes to women’s rights activist Gisela Burckhardt, following a unanimous decision by the jury. The founder and chairwoman of FEMNET e.V. is particularly committed to the rights of women workers in the global textile industry. She serves as a bridge between consumers in Europe and manufacturers in India, Bangladesh, and Cambodia.
Gisela Burckhardt consistently fights to help all women worldwide secure their right to fair and living-wage work. She tirelessly develops ideas and never gives up. She keeps an eye on corporations and political leaders just as much as she does on consumers. At every level, she raises awareness that our fast-paced shopping trends—all those cheap blouses, pants, and shirts piled high on tables under the neon lights of stores—come at a price. For behind the beautiful style lies the ugly reality of exploitation: Millions of female textile workers toil under inhumane conditions to produce our clothing. Thousands have lost their lives in the process—for example, in the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh in April 2013 or the fire at the Pakistani factory Ali Enterprises three years ago.
There’s a better way to dress well.
The foundation of her current commitment lies in her experiences in international development cooperation—Gisela Burckhardt worked for many years for various organizations abroad. When she returned to Germany in 2001 after more than two years in Ethiopia, she was certain: She must focus her efforts on political engagement and the ongoing transformation of trade relations. Only by strengthening women’s social and economic standing can they be sustainably liberated from the role of victims—all around the globe. In concrete terms, this means supporting labor unions, strengthening women’s coalitions, and engaging in dialogue with factory owners. This is difficult on the ground, but: “You have to be able to withstand resistance,” is her credo.
Through her organization FEMNET, Gisela Burckhardt works on the ground with unions and partner organizations that demand fair wages and better working conditions for female workers and their families. Childcare is also a major issue. It often doesn’t deserve the name: The biggest expense in so-called “childcare” is frequently sedatives for the children. Gisela Burckhardt and her fellow activists on the ground raise awareness about this cynical and inhumane treatment of female workers and their children and show the women ways to assert their rights—through legal counseling or by assisting them in taking their cases to labor court.
In Germany and Europe, she works with politicians to establish the necessary labeling requirements for textiles, engages in dialogue with factory owners and fashion chains, and reaches out to influencers—such as those at universities—to encourage the managers and designers of tomorrow to rethink the industry.
As shameful as the conditions in the textile factories are, Gisela Burckhardt’s commitment to changing them is all the more remarkable.
The jury for the Anne Klein Women’s Prize consists of:
- Barbara Unmüßig, Executive Board Member of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Jury Chair
- Renate Künast, Member of the German Bundestag, Alliance ’90/The Greens
- Prof. Dr. Michaele Schreyer, Vice President of the European Movement Germany
- Jutta Wagner, attorney, former president of the German Women Lawyers’ Association
- Thomas Herrendorf, interior designer
Berlin, December 8, 2015
