Terre des Femmes

Terre des Femmes, whose name translates from French as “Women’s Earth,” is a German nonprofit organization focused on the human rights of girls and women. Its stated vision is a society in which people are equal, independent, and free regardless of gender. The organization combines public advocacy, educational work, counseling support, networking, and assistance for projects addressing gender-based human-rights violations. The association was established in 1981 after journalist Ingrid Staehle and a group of women in Hamburg responded to reporting about violence against women and so-called honor killings in the Middle East. The report in Brigitte magazine drew on the documentary Princesses mortes, produced in connection with the Swiss human-rights organization Sentinelles. After visiting Sentinelles in Lausanne, the founders developed the idea of creating a German association inspired in name and purpose by Terre des hommes. Terre des Femmes was entered in Hamburg’s register of associations in July 1981. Historian Herta Haas and American literary scholar Tobe Levin are also identified among its early founders. Over time, Terre des Femmes developed into one of Germany’s larger women’s-rights organizations. Its national headquarters operates from Berlin and is supported by volunteer groups in locations across Germany. Reference material describes more than 2,000 members in one account and more than 3,500 members and patrons in another, indicating that participation figures have varied by date and counting method. The association also maintains links with international women’s-rights organizations and supports women’s counseling as well as projects and initiatives led by or serving women outside Germany. The organization’s advocacy agenda includes opposition to female genital mutilation, forced marriage, killings committed in the name of honor, trafficking in women, forced prostitution, and sexual and domestic violence. Its work is therefore directed not at commercial products but at awareness, prevention, policy advocacy, support structures, and public mobilization. Terre des Femmes is also listed as a member of ECPAT, an international network addressing the sexual exploitation of children. Public-facing activities include the annual FrauenWelten film festival in Tübingen, which uses cinema and cultural programming to address women’s rights and related social questions. Another recurring initiative is the nationwide flag campaign held on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The association is financed through donations, corporate partnerships, grants from institutions and foundations, and membership fees. A Swiss branch was founded in November 2003. It is described as an independent organization rather than a corporate subsidiary of the German association. Terre des Femmes has also faced criticism over positions associated with transgender issues. An open letter opposing aspects of transgender policy was signed by a board member, prompting criticism from German journalist and feminist activist Sibel Schick, who characterized the organization’s position as transphobic and racist. The available reference material does not establish a formal organizational resolution, legal finding, or change in leadership arising from that controversy.

Terre des Femmes emerged in Hamburg in 1981 from concern about violence against women and honor killings in the Middle East. Journalist Ingrid Staehle and other women were motivated by a Brigitte magazine article based on the documentary Princesses mortes, which was associated with the Swiss human-rights organization Sentinelles. A visit to Sentinelles in Lausanne helped inspire the creation of a German association modeled in name on Terre des hommes. The new organization adopted the name Terre des Femmes and the subtitle “Human Rights for Women.” It was formally entered in Hamburg’s register of associations in July 1981. Historian Herta Haas and American literary scholar Tobe Levin are also recorded among its early founders. The association’s central purpose was to address violations of women’s and girls’ human rights, both in Germany and through international cooperation. Its agenda developed around female genital mutilation, forced marriage, killings committed in the name of honor, trafficking in women, forced prostitution, and sexual and domestic violence. In addition to campaigning against these practices, Terre des Femmes sought to support women through counseling-related work and to assist organizations, initiatives, and projects working for women and by women in other countries. As the organization expanded, its national headquarters moved its work to Berlin and its activities came to be supported by volunteer groups in more than 20 German locations. Membership and patronage grew substantially, although the available accounts give different participation totals: one describes more than 2,000 members, while another reports more than 3,500 members and patrons. These figures should not be treated as directly comparable without a date and definition for each count. International cooperation remained part of the organization’s model. A Swiss branch was founded in November 2003, but the German and Swiss associations are described as independent organizations. Terre des Femmes is also associated with ECPAT, reflecting engagement with broader campaigns against the sexual exploitation of children. Funding comes from donations, corporate partnerships, grants from institutions and foundations, and membership fees rather than from commercial product sales. The group has maintained a public cultural and campaigning profile. FrauenWelten is an annual film festival held in Tübingen, while the flag campaign takes place nationwide on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. These activities extend the organization’s work beyond specialist advocacy by using cultural programming and visible public action to raise awareness of violence and gender inequality. The organization has also been involved in controversy over transgender issues. An open letter associated with anti-transgender positions was signed by a board member, and Sibel Schick publicly criticized Terre des Femmes, describing it as transphobic and racist. The supplied reference does not document a definitive institutional settlement, court judgment, or subsequent leadership change. The organization’s overall historical identity therefore remains that of a German women’s-rights association whose work combines advocacy, education, support, and campaigning, while its public positioning has also generated internal and external debate over the scope of its feminist politics.

• 2003

  Independent Swiss branch established

  [1]Terre des Femmesen.wikipedia.org

  A Swiss branch was founded in November 2003. The German and Swiss organizations are described as independent associations.

• 1981

  Association founded and registered in Hamburg

  [1]Terre des Femmesen.wikipedia.org

  Ingrid Staehle and fellow activists established Terre des Femmes after concerns raised by reporting on violence against women and honor killings. The association was entered in Hamburg’s register of associations in July.

A German feminist and human-rights nonprofit focused on combating violence and discrimination against girls and women through advocacy, education, networking, public campaigns, and support for affected communities.

• Criticism over transgender-related positions

  Terre des Femmes received criticism after an open letter concerning transgender issues was signed by one board member. Sibel Schick described the organization’s stance as transphobic and racist. The supplied sources do not document a legal judgment or definitive organizational response.

  Source

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• FrauenWelten

  Germany

  An annual film festival in Tübingen presenting cultural programming connected with women’s rights and gender-related social issues.

  Source
• Flag Campaign

  Germany

  A nationwide public-awareness initiative held on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

  Source

• Terre des Femmes faces criticism over transgender-related positions[1]Terre des Femmesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The organization was criticized after an open letter concerning transgender issues was signed by one of its board members. Journalist and feminist activist Sibel Schick accused Terre des Femmes of transphobic and racist positions. The available material does not provide a date, formal legal outcome, or confirmed organizational response.

1. 1Terre des Femmesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Terre des Femmes – Menschenrechte für die Frau e.V. – About Usfrauenrechte.de