#WeTheWomen
Copyright© BMZ
Campaign #WeTheWomen
The problem
So far no country in the world (including Germany) has achieved full equality of men and women. Women make up half of humankind. So it is only logical and fair that they should have half of the power and resources. However, the international community is far from having reached that point. Crises such as, most recently, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed deep gender divides and set back gender equality by one generation. At the current pace, it will take us another 286 years to achieve full equality.
Excluding women is dangerous and expensive because women have the knowledge, ideas and strength that our societies need in order to resolve the major global problems humankind is facing. No society can afford to ignore this potential if it wants to make progress.
The solution
Through #WeTheWomen we create awareness, together. More people become aware of the importance of this topic. A new mindset emerges, and more people are working for change. Women around the world are showing us how a better education, more financial resources and freedom of decision have had a positive impact on their personal lives, their families and the societies in which they live.
At #WeTheWomen our focus is on ensuring participation and representation for all. We want women and young girls to realise: We are not alone! For us, too, there is a place, someone to turn to, a supporting community.
#WeTheWomen makes the voices of women and girls heard internationally.
#WeTheWomen is putting a focus on gender equality for the United Nations Summit of the Future in September 2024.
#WeTheWomen is part of a global movement for just and resilient societies.
#WeTheWomen
Copyright© BMZ
Your campaign
Be part of the campaign! Spread the message and share your story at #WeTheWomen. Worldwide, people are working for equality. #WeTheWomen brings these people together because we are stronger when we work together. What has changed for the better? What are your experiences? What do you think still needs to change?
Strong women – strong societies
30 %
increase in agricultural yields thanks to equal access to agricultural inputs
Maternal mortality could be brought down by
2/3
if medical care for women improved
70 %
of health professionals worldwide are women
20 %
increase in likelihood of peace agreements being upheld if women are involved in negotiations
Better education
for women and girls reduces child marriages and unplanned pregnancies.
28 trillion US dollars
increase in global economic growth by 2025 if women enjoy equal participation
Further details
- If women had the same access to agricultural inputs as men, yields could increase by up to 30 per cent.
- Maternal mortality could be reduced by as much as two thirds if all women had the access to health care that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends.
- Women make up 70 per cent of all healthcare staff worldwide. Their expertise was indispensable for overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic.
- When women are actively involved in peace processes, the probability that a peace agreement will last at least two years rises by 20 per cent. It is also more likely that agreements are implemented.
- Child marriages and unplanned early pregnancies drop if women are educated. Education improves maternal and child health, and the nutrition and wellbeing of children.
- A McKinsey Global Institute study (External link) has found that 28 trillion US dollars could be added to global economic growth by 2025 if women were to participate in the economy to the same extent as men.
Partnerships
We cannot achieve change on our own. German Development Minister Svenja Schulze is active in international alliances, for instance in Women Rise for All together with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, in order to strengthen feminist development policy worldwide together with other ministers, human rights activists and public figures. She is giving special attention to listening to the perspective of women from our partner countries.
For more information on the UN campaigns, visit
As at: 18/04/2024