“Proof that history can be changed” Published: 28 August 2017 Interview For decades, Russian civil rights activist, historian, and German scholar Irina Scherbakova has been working to shed light on the repressive policies of the former Soviet Union. This Monday, she was awarded the Goethe Medal. By Simone Brunner
Emily Nasrallah: The “peasant woman” who wrote about her land and won the heart of the world Published: 25 August 2017 Homage The Goethe Medal 2017 will be given to Lebanese writer Emily Nasrallah. In her texts for adults and children, she has found a poetic language to describe everyday life in the Lebanon drawn by the civil war. By Deema Keadbey
"It became my mission to locate women's voices" Published: 24 August 2017 Interview Urvashi Butalia is one of India’s foremost feminists. On the occasion of her receiving Germany’s Goethe Medal on August 28, 2017 in Weimar, we have talked to her about her work as a publisher, feminism, writing and politics in India. By Axel Harneit-Sievers
Russian faux family values: Domestic violence decriminalized in Russia Published: 6 February 2017 Russia is known as a country with a high level of domestic violence. There is no official statistics available, while NGOs concerned with this issue face serious challenges. And now, the Russian legal system has de facto removed an essential protective barrier between assailant and his prey. By Dr. Irina Kosterina
Maxim Anmeghichean: "The principles have put engagement with the UN on a totally different footing" Published: 3 November 2016 Ten years after the creation of the Yogyakarta Principles, “Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”, Caroline Ausserer speaks with Maxim Anmeghichean, one of the experts that elaborated them. By Caroline Ausserer
Let’s hear it for fringe sports Published: 26 October 2016 Game over. The Rio Olympics gave us many things: sexist reporting, burkinis and bikinis, forced outings. But it was above all a celebration of the fringiest of the fringe – here’s a recap from a queer feminist perspective. By Azada Hassany and Susanne Diehr
And buttocks start flapping Published: 19 October 2016 Niv Acosta’s performance “Discotropic” rediscovers queer blackness. A performance that weaves together science fiction, disco and astrophysics with queer bodies and black experiences. KWEEK. A queer interjection. By Katrin Köppert
Syria: Systematic Torture and Sexualized Violence Published: 3 August 2016 Speech Torture and sexualized violence are part of everyday life in Syrian prisons. However, human rights violations committed by the Assad regime play no role at the Geneva peace talks. With this in mind, Barbara Unmüßig, calls for women to be included as peace negotiators. By Barbara Unmüßig
Stephen Whittle: “The Yogyakarta Principles provide guidance and are a constant reference point” Published: 21 July 2016 Ten years after the creation of the Yogyakarta Principles, “Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”, Caroline Ausserer speaks with Professor Stephen Whittle, one of the experts that elaborated them. By Caroline Ausserer
Gender equality in Europe Published: 18 June 2016 The programme "Europe for Citizens" pools activities fostering tolerance promotion, gender equality and the protection of fundamental rights.