CONFERENCE DOCUMENTATION BERLIN, 27 - 29 SEPTEMBER 2019
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CONFERENCE DOCUMENTATION
BERLIN, 27 – 29 SEPTEMBER 2019
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INTRODUCTION��������������������������������������������������������������9 INTRODUCTION
ALLIANCE FOR CIVIC PARTICIPATION: NOT FOR US WITHOUT US.
IN A DEMOCRACY, EACH ONE OF US COUNTS.
LET’S CREATE IT TOGETHER, NOW AND HERE!������������������������������ 11
“THE TRANSFORMATIONS OF 89 TOUCHED
THERE IS NO FREEDOM WITHOUT DIVERSITY. ALL WOMEN. WOMEN CAME TOGETHER AND
THERE IS NO JUSTICE WITHOUT SOLIDARITY.����������������������������� 12 WERE WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST
TIME. FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE HAD THE
OUT OF COAL! OFF INTO COLOURFUL LIFE! OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT. AND MEN WERE ON
PROFITS INTO THE SOCIAL, ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM CHANGE!���������������� 14 OUR SIDE. AT LEAST IN EAST BERLIN, THE
WOMEN DEMONSTRATIONS HAD A LOT OF
SOCIAL GENDER CLIMATE JUSTICE����������������������������������������� 17 MALE PARTICIPANTS.” CONFERENCE
PARTICIPANT FROM GERMANY
WE HAVE TO LEAVE LIVE HERE.��������������������������������������������� 19
SOLIDARITY, PAST AND PRESENT – CONCLUSIONS AND OUTLOOK������������ 21
WOMEN AS ACTORS IN THE UPHEAVALS OF 1989/90,
PRESENTATION BY MARINA GRASSE (SHORTENED VERSION)����������������� 22 Where were we heading to in 1989 and
1990? What has become of our visions and
DEMOCRATIC UPHEAVALS IN POLAND 30 YEARS political goals 30 years after? The conference
AFTER 1989: A FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE, organized in Berlin-Pankow by OWEN in
PRESENTATION BY JENNIFER RAMME (SHORTENED VERSION)��������������� 28
cooperation with Friedenskreis Pankow, Gender
Studies Prague, Public Verdict Foundation
and Foundation for the Development of Civil
Society and Human Rights “Don Women”
offered the opportunity for dialogue between
/ 10
different generations of women. It brought This documentation brings together the This written documentation uses the final
together women actors from Eastern Germany, historical knowledge, personal experience, day’s slogans as headlines under which the
Poland, Czech Republic and Russia who and visions gathered during the conference discussions and outcomes of the conference
had played a decisive role in movements in the workshops and panel discussions. are summarized. Thus this text does not
during the upheavals and transformations of It also includes shortened versions of the necessarily refer to the exact meaning that
1989/90. Many of them founded civil society presentations by Marina Grasse and Jennifer the country groups had in mind in the closing
organizations and stayed active in their social Ramme. session.
and political commitments. These women were
joined at the conference by women and men who The first day of the event was dedicated to Words in quotation marks and italics are
today work actively for democratic and social listening to different perspectives on 1989: participants’ voices; they have often been
changes in the societies of Germany, Russia, who were the actors and what were their hopes shortened for brevity or amended for clarity.
Poland and Czech Republic. Participants shared and visions of social change? The second day Our aim is to portray the diversity of voices,
their views and experiences of activism. was focused on today, on the status quo and on heard at the conference. To this end, we have
how activists encounter backlashes driven by gathered voices from all different events at the
The participants’ activism covered a wide right-conservative and nationalist movements. conference, and placed them side-by-side in
range of political and social issues ranging Visions for change in today’s societies this documentation.
from human rights, social and economic and attempts to influence socio-political
demands, ecological issues to questions developments were shared. The final day was To all participants, moderators and
of security and peace. In the period of the spent on “developing democratic anti-bodies”: contributors: thank you for your efforts
transformations, gender-specific issues and on discussing how to act, create alliances, and at making this gathering of women so
feminist claims were present to a lesser extent find common grounds. successful by bringing in your knowledge
than in today’s women’s activism and they and inspiration! We will continue to develop
were strongly entangled with wider visions The four parallel workshops complementing visions and creative answers to the great
and hopes for changes in society. and deepening the talks and panel discussions challenges that we are facing.
were dedicated to more specific topics. They
During the three days, all participants were dealt with Visions for Societies in Europe;
invited to become visionaries of the future. Fundamental Rights, Constitution and
Common themes were identified, but also Democracy; The Economic Transformation of “WHAT I THINK ABOUT WHEN I THINK OF
differences, across countries and generations, Property and Labour and The Communication 1989? WOMEN DID A LOT OF WORK AND
stood out. The conference thus created cross- between State and Society: the Policy-Forming THEN STAYED HOME TO LET THE MEN TAKE
border spaces for political reflection and Processes and Representation of Interests. OVER.” CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT FROM
action. POLAND
Summing up the conference’s discussions, as
a closing event on the last day, participants
split up into country groups and produced
slogans that would voice a common message.
The task here was to find common messages
that would mobilize others and that would
allow for alliances with other groups in
society./ 11
that has so far successfully fought back
against the government’s attempt to ban
“WE WERE EXPECTING THAT DEMOCRACY abortions. The Women’s Strike Movement
TH
INERA E IS
WOULD BE DONE TO US, NOT BY US.” understands itself as a “small town
N
DOEMJU
OC
CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT FROM RUSSIA movement”, with leaders that aim to support
SRTI
ACCY,
E
WEA
ITCHOOUNTE O others to do what they find necessary. This
F
TAH
LELI UO
S SLICD
OAR
was an answer to the question of how to link
RAEN UNITTSY.
.
N ICS
E the political processes at the grassroots and
FO ORF
R
CEIE
V
WPAIRTT
D
I C
OM RE IS
LET’S
THE
local level to the level of institutionalized
HIOUT
CI
D IV
PE CRE JUS IT E
ATETIC The question of the anchoring of democracy decision-making.
ARTI NO TH ERE IS
SOINTY.
ETHER, was addressed in many different ways: “We
TOG
WIT O JUTSTIC
NHOU
TNH
OETRF E missed out on discussing what democracy The question of how to organize movements
EOI E IS NOW
SOL IDA RITY.
AND
N
WOITF
RTSHUESR WIT HOUT
meant,” a participant from the Czech Republic was mirrored by the question of language:
ICE E!
HROEU
ETDO
N O
UM JUST HER
SOLIDARIT
WIT S
T
Y. commented. what language can civil society actors use,
HOU
TWITHOU POLAND
DIVE . what discourses can movements appeal to,
RSIT LIDARITY
SYO. And a participant from Russia underlined when it comes to mobilization, politicization
IA how this disconnect between top and bottom, and self-empowerment? Here, there was an
RUSS
between the people making political decisions emphasis on concrete language: “Our (Czech
and the citizens living with these decisions, Republic) strategy for raising awareness for
is replayed at the level of NGOs: “What local issues is to find a common language. Use
happened in the 90s in Russia: a moment specific examples to illustrate large issues:
of a European foundation that invested in for instance, there is less water, there is a
These two slogans encapsulate a net of democracy: it was a provider-consumer drought. We should try to connect different
questions that surfaced in many ways at the approach. Probably most of us can explain actors from different sectors and backgrounds,
conference: was the consolidation of democracy to foreign European donors that our work is so that different people get to talk to each
after the transition of 1989/90 sufficiently important, but I am not sure if we can explain other. We need to combine different strategies
anchored in the population? And so does to everyone in a local village that our work because they are all important: direct actions,
democracy have sufficient local support in is important. We need to build understanding lobbying, campaigns. A broad range of
order for the principle of representation to be among our own citizens: this allowed the state activities.” But there was also the awareness
effective, the principle we understand as a to destroy civil society so easily because we that language depends on context and that in
hallmark of representative democracy? And if didn’t have the support of the people we were some contexts an appeal to wider discourses
this is not the case, then what can we do—or supporting. We were providing services for is helpful. A participant from Russia stated:
what is already being done by the many local a European foundation rather than building “reacting to communities’ demands and
activists that came together for the conference? civil society and building a foundation for our showing how those can be solved domestically:
work.” many times activists stand up for local
problems without understanding that they are
One example for how people empower themselves
to successfully fight the lack of representation
of their issues was the Women’s Strike
Movement in Poland, a grassroots movement/ 12
connected to more general issues; they do not One of the focuses of this workshop was the
have this human rights view, for example: new constitutions that were drafted and/or
they don’t understand that the fish is rotten passed after the transitions of 1989/90. In
from its head; we have to unite more general this workshop, a lot of historical knowledge
ideas and have to show that their problems are was gathered on the constitutional history
part of our problems; we have to react to newly of Germany, Poland, Russia, and the Czech
arisen problems with our answers, not the Republic. The questions that crystallized
government’s answers.” The Women’s Strike thereby also emerged in many other discussions
Movement provided yet another angle, on a at the conference: what is the connection
language that highlights the validity of the between rights and justice? What does it mean
IS
THERE
experiences of women rather than outsourcing ISS if rights are “fixed” by law, but not filled
TTH
HEER
RE IS T O JUSTICE
N
THHEERRE
expertise to others: “Our movement does not S STI
T CCEE with life? What does it mean for our trust in a
NNO
O FR NNOOJ JU
ITHOUT
US TI
use the human rights argument; we are a small FREEE
E D W U T Y. democracy to have laws to appeal to?
DOOM TH
WIIT HOOU
WWIT
ITHHOU
M W
S OLIDA ATRH T
IE R
town movement. We use everyday language. OUT RITY.E
DIVE T S LIDANROITY. IS
O L I D
DIVE RSI SO FRE
‘My old man hit me so hard, I thought he was RSIT TYY.. WIT EDO In the GDR (DDR), the central roundtable
HOU M
going to kill me’ and not ‘I am a domestic DIV T (Zentraler Runder Tisch) formed in 1989 gave
ERS
violence survivor.’” ITY itself the task of drafting a new constitution
.
POL
AND
and formed a commission for that purpose.
Strategies and approaches to activism for With reunification already under way, the
democratic change differed from one country aim of this new GDR constitution was to
to another and from one context to another. “describe new social relations and to fix
Yet there is a common analysis that since them as rights”. For the civic movements
the transitions, democratization has been This slogan formulated by the Polish country at the round table, it was clear that a new
very problematic. Especially in Russia and group expresses concerns about the balance constitution was necessary in order for the GDR
Poland, activists have fought back against between institutional rights and lived social to be organised as an independent state under
repression and a conservative backlash. But it reality. There is not only a need for rights to the rule of law that could face the FRG (BRD)
also became obvious that these challenges were exist as something that people can appeal to, as an equal partner in the negotiations for
themselves rooted in the development of civil but also for a lived solidarity and diversity. reunification. Unlike the FRG constitution, the
society and the social movements since 1989. This question between formal elements (rights draft constitution made no reference to God,
fixed in a constitution) and social reality and it upheld both the equality of men and
(lived society and diversity) was one of the women and the protection of the environment,
main themes of Workshop 2 on Fundamental as well as an emphasis on basic social rights.
Rights, Constitution and Democracy. These elements of the draft constitution
thus integrated many of the demands of the
social movements existing since the 1980s.
However, the draft came to be seen as a barrier
to reunification and was tabled by the first
freely elected parliament of the GDR in April
1990./ 13
Poland’s round table also led to the
institution of new rights, which were an
expression of the most important themes of “RIGHTS ARE ONLY SOMETHING ON A
the civic movements: “freedom first, then PIECE OF PAPER. BUT THEY ALSO NEED TO
sovereignty of the state, and then democracy”, BE LIVED.” CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT
as a participant put it. The results of the FROM RUSSIA
round table negotiations included amongst
others half-free elections, changes in
parliamentary rights, the strengthening of the
constitutional court, access to media and the In Russia, the question was: we have a When the discussion on the link between
reinstating of Solidarnosc as a union. constitution, but it isn’t filled with life. rights, constitution and revolutionary visions
There are rights, but what meaning do they turned to the Czech Republic, two themes
A new Polish constitution was passed narrowly have? A new constitution was passed in the emerged: that activism initially remained at
in a referendum in 1997; very few people early 1990s, but the sense was that little the level of the civil, with Vaclav Havel’s
participated. “We missed out on the political was known about the discussions of what “apolitical politics.” And that the giving of
euphoria of the early 90s,” someone from should be included in this constitution. laws was postponed and not a priority. As one
Poland put it. Into the new constitution, the The “simple people were not involved,” participant stated, “it was privatize first, and
Catholic Church, which had played a prominent only those higher up. When discussing the then pass laws,” which resulted in the “casino
role in the dissidence movement, was able to status of the constitution and its laws today capitalism” of the 1990s. As in Poland, the
introduce its concerns such as the protection and its importance for the work of socio- current constitution lacks social laws, and
of marriage; “Poland was no longer a secular political actors, different voices emerged. One there is, for instance, a lack of affordable
state,” one participant described. The sense participant stated that “Today, in Russia, housing: the problem is that “social housing
was that with the new constitution, the people demonstrate for the constitution isn’t at all solved at the level of the law.”
erosion of women’s rights in today’s Poland to be upheld: we have to get back to the
began—such as the government’s recent attempt constitution.” But someone else said: “It As for the situation today, there was a sense
to ban abortions, which was successfully doesn’t mean anything if something is in the that rights such as freedom of speech and
fought by thousands of Polish women and their constitution. In practice, in my work, we freedom of media, which were fought for in
supporters. “Today’s problems are a result of make as little reference to the constitution as the 1980s and 1990s, were again under threat
the failure of the 90s: the Church’s role in the possible.” And there was again the question today and had to be fought for once more—for
dissident movement; now we pay for it with of what the constitution fails to cover: in the instance, by appealing to the constitution.
women’s rights.” And there was the discussion case of Russia, for instance, a law against Democracy is again something we need to
of what the new constitution failed to fix domestic violence does not yet exist and fight for. But there is also the phenomenon
as rights. In the case of Poland, the lack of participants talked about a current court case of rights being abused by right-conservative
social rights was emphasized, and someone against three sisters that killed their abusive and nationalist movements—one example
connected the rise of the right-wing political father, which is being watched very closely by that participants saw here was the problem
parties in Poland to this: “There are not Russian activists. of “internet trolls” that seek to destabilize
enough clauses…about social provisions. activist movements and that rely on both
People were acknowledged for the first time by freedom of speech and freedom of media to
populists.” evade any legal consequences. So with regards/ 14
to rights, also new questions were asked such debated, and analysed in the same way as
as: how far should certain rights go? the political changes? Or are they often left
out of the discussion when we reflect on the
New constitutional grounds were laid in 1989, upheavals of 1989/90?
and these continue to exert great influence
on systems and institutional orders today. The economic discussions at the conference
Movements in different countries refer to the comprised many different themes such as
constitutions to a different degree. Still, it changes on the labour market, privatization,
E IS
was an important part of the conference to THER and the question of the commons, and the
E
STIC
discuss and gain further knowledge of very NO JU question of climate justice. A concept of an
PRER
TH OFIE TS OUT
basic constitutional elements that shape OH
T UETRO
EFIS
IS WITH alternative economic system was brought into
IN
NO TO TY.
C O
NO AFL! JUTH
STIE DARI
our political contexts. This encouraged OFF REEDO SOCIA CE SOLI the discussion by some of the participants,
WIT IN M WITHOL,
participants to reflect on the basic principles COLO HOUTO ECOLOGUIC T proposing a form of common-ism, neither
URFTU AL ANY
that used to matter to them and continue D
L IF
VE L S
SO LI
YS DAR
TE M ITY. GERM returning all power to the state nor leaving
E!RSIT
Y. CHANGE!
to do so. all power to the private market.
(In German, coal is also slang for money) When discussing changes on the labour market
that occurred after the transitions, there was
a sense that women were especially affected
by the changes. Someone from Poland observed:
“During the transformation, anti-women
behaviour of new employers started: they
wanted young pretty women and then it became
obvious during the interview for getting the
One of the themes running through the jobs. First of all, regarding your plan to have
conference was the economic transformations children, they would ask: what does your mum
that ran parallel to the political do? Can she take care of grandchildren?” And
transformations that occurred in 1989/1990 and again an experience from Poland: “Suddenly,
the years to follow. There was the sense that labour contracts were replaced by short-term
today’s situation and today’s problems have contracts (one month, two months). So when I
just as much to do with the economic changes discussed with people, they said: I have never
that occurred as with the political ones. But had a proper contract. Also, the government
were these economic changes acknowledged, and outside forces such as the World Bank were
pushing women to be businesswomen. The clear
message to women was: if you are forty, you
are too old to be an employee. The only way
for you is to be self-employed. For instance,
a teacher of foreign languages. And just like
that, the previous culture of a stable situation
disappeared.”/ 15
“There was blind belief in the invisible hands They think that the freeing of totalitarianism
of the market.” “The economic transition has to do with the liberalization of the
“IN POLAND, THERE’S A BIG GROUP was characterized by chaos, the old system so market. When you start talking about the
OF PEOPLE THAT FEEL LEFT BEHIND BY quickly destroyed without knowledge of how to control of common and natural resources, they
THE TRANSITION: PEOPLE ARE IN DEBT, build a new one.” The sense was that everyone call you a Stalinist.” In the Czech Republic,
WITHOUT MONEY. AND THEY ARE THE was just “unprepared”: as someone from “the public discourse is very similar to
POPULIST VOTERS — AND WE CANNOT Russia puts it, “there was no discussion of Russia: if someone talks about public control
BLAME THEM. IT IS OUR MISTAKE THAT the good or bad sides of the market economy,” or community ownership of resources, it is
WE CANNOT OFFER THEM ANYTHING.” and so people found themselves thrown into shamed as socialist or communist.”
CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT FROM POLAND a very different and very difficult economic
situation. But the vision of an alternative economic
system was fuelled by very concrete
But though many people experienced chaos suggestions that found a middle way between
and deprivation during the 1990s, it took giving all power back to the state and leaving
This falling away of secure employment a long time for the neo-liberal model to all power to the free market. For instance,
was closely tied to the privatizations that be challenged. For instance, in the Czech there was the example of the Berlin water
occurred and that were a big topic at the Republic, “the question mark only came 10 table, a democratically organised local
conference. One of the questions here was: years after 1989”: in 1998, when the social network of activists fighting the privatization
how did privatization occur in the different democratic party appeared and when people of water. What we need, a participant from
countries? In the GDR, there was the Treuhand started to see the results and understood Germany said, is “a real organization from
organization. In Russia, when it came to that the invisible hands of the market were below. A very practical solution without any
the privatization of state factories, “there not a solution, but the problem. “But by great strategy. Like in 89, when people took
was a voucher-system so that workers had then, everything was already stolen…by the matters into their own hand because there
a share in their factory, but these were invisible hands!” was an institutional vacuum. Suddenly,
immediately bought up by people in the know very normal people without any leading
who accumulated shares and power.” When it Discussions then turned to the question: positions tried to basic-democratically
came to the privatization of housing, things what to do about this situation? For giving organize a concrete process.” And a voice from
were similar: “in Russia, when privatization everything back to the state does not seem to be the Czech Republic: “We are not discussing
started, many parents sold their flats because a solution either. Participants emphasized the 1989 anymore, but I think the idea of self-
they didn’t know about their rights. People continuous distrust in the state that prevails realisation, not back to state ownership…but
became homeless: there were street children in in their countries. “In Russia, people were to build a bridge back to 1989, when there
the 90s. It affected the poor groups the most: so upset about the Soviet system that they was a life-flash: good practical solutions for
women and children.” In the CSSR, the rule ran all over to the private part: the belief concrete problems.” And someone from Poland
was “privatize first, and then pass laws.” is that things are managed much better by spoke of an important initiative at the local
private companies; the private will manage level: “for example, in Warsaw and many other
resources much better, there is no corruption. cities, there is a participatory budget. People
So there is the risk that just everything will from the local community decide what they
be privatized in Russia. From my experience, would like to have and submit their proposals,
it is so difficult to challenge privatization:
people mix the political with the economic./ 16
for instance, building something for the mixed reactions to Fridays for Future and the The focus on the economic changes that
birds, cleaning the forest, (…) you submit movement for climate justice mainly driven occurred as part of the transitions of
suggestions online and then people in the area by the young generation in her country, the 89/90 thus allowed for another angle on
vote for the suggestions. The projects are done Czech Republic: “politicians say we are the upheavals and their aftermath and the
by the municipality and need to be realized manipulated. We face a lot of hatred.” And situation today. It also showed the importance
within one year.” someone from Russia concurred: the idea in of thinking economic changes in tandem with
Russia is “Greta is controlled by some evil political changes, and of the mutual impact
The possibility of “change from below” was West.” In this connection, the question arose between politics and economics. And it made
also emphasized when it came to the theme of whether women played a special role in the room for a vision of profound change, and for
environmental justice. One important insight debate on climate justice. The participant from many examples of how change can occur from
here was the way in which the topic of the Fridays for Future underscored that it was very the bottom up.
environment has the potential to mobilize meaningful for the women in the movement
diverse groups of people: an environmental that the movement itself was led and started
activist from Russia spoke of a recent protest by a young woman.
in North Caucasus where more than 1000
people came together to fight for the closure There was also the emphasis that the theme
of a factory that was polluting heavily. But of the environment was already an important
one participant also brought up the very theme in the 1980s—examples include the
“Prague Mothers”, who came together to fight
for a better quality of air in their city. Groups
of environmentalists in the GDR fought for the
reduction of heavy industrial pollution, which
led the committee on the draft of a new GDR
constitution to include the right to a clean
environment. Lastly, there was an awareness
of how environmental ideas are being co-
opted and abused by right-conservative
groups, for instance, the Anastasia movement
that a participant from the federal state of
Brandenburg spoke about./ 17
GEN
TH ERDE
ERIS
NO JUSTI
CE
the big changes, we immediately forget separation, the kids and apartment would go
WITTSH
HOO
CU
E IT
feminist issues. This happened in the 60s: to the women.” And: “In the GDR, I worked in
R ALI
E S the big problem was the problem of power. In science. I needed only to say: I’m ready and
SOLI
NODARFRIT
EEY.
DOM upheavals, one doesn’t consider the feminist they would give me work. After ‘89, I would
WIT
HOU
T position because other questions of power come be told that I had a husband and a home. I
DIVE
RSIT
Y. to the foreground: the relations between black learned to deal with it.”
and white, poor and rich, but not man and
woman. There is always a competition between But there was also the theme of a disconnect
REATIES
CH
T IM
LE the different structures of power.” between a “proclaimed equality between men
E
STIC and women” and a reality, in which women
NO JUT JHUESTE
OUT R ICIE were shouldering the double burden of paid
WITH NO S
I D A R F
I RYE.ED
T
work and unpaid care-work. There was a lack
SOL W OM
ITHO
UT “I WOULD BE HAPPY TO JOIN THE of discussion of who did the care-work. The
DIVE
RSIT
Y. GENDER ISSUE, BUT I THINK IT IS idea of women as the “avantgarde of the East”,
THER
E IS
IMPORTANT NOW TO FIGHT FOR THE someone else stated, served to romanticize
NO F
REED
ENVIRONMENT.” CONFERENCE what was often a very difficult life. “My
WIT OM PARTICIPANT FROM CZECH REPUBLIC mother had no time to sleep,” someone from
HOU
T
DIVE the Czech Republic described. And there was
RSIT
CZEYC. also the recognition that there was a lack
REPU H
BLIC of support for “alternative lifestyles”: “the
The gender discussion at the conference single mom position was much more difficult,”
embraced many different topics. Here, the someone from the Czech Republic stated. And
This slogan embraces a tendency prevalent focus will be on the following three: the someone from the GDR: “what did not find
throughout the conference: to think across discussion of women’s lives under Communism, any consideration were other kinds of living:
topics and to create alliances not only between the discussion of what happened to women after women without children, lesbian women, a
countries, but also between actors working in the transitions, and the discussion of what is woman who had fallen in love with a man
different fields. It also highlights a question going on today. from Armenia; this diversity wasn’t at all
that came up at various times: “should considered.”
specific women’s questions be discussed What was the position of women under
separately or as part of a wider group of Communism? This question led to many
challenges in a time of great socio-political different perspectives. There was the
changes?” And there were many different observation that in the CSSR, “women were
answers to this question. On the one hand, proud that socialism helped them go out
there was the worry that women’s issues get of the victim position; they could study,
side-lined in times of transitions: “during work. That was told to us by these old women
who were interviewed. Socialism gave more
to women than to men.” Someone added:
“in the GDR, women had a lot: childcare,
work. There was even the legal preferential
treatment of women: in the case of divorce or/ 18
Another focus was on the discussion of the role There was a strong sense that women who had theme. And the question: what can we do
of women during and after the transition. been previously active during the transitions about it? Many suggestions were small-scale
Did women have a specific role in the processes retreated from the public sphere. Why was solutions: for instance, the idea of job sharing
of change and did they manage to retain it? this so? There were two sets of answers: that would make it easier for women to assume
“In CSSR, after the transition, women did first, “women were tired.” “When I look back positions of power. The importance of childcare
not have a specific role. Everyone thought 30 years ago, I was tired for this struggle was emphasized and the importance of examples
that freedom and democracy would be enough. of power in the New Forum.” “In Poland, of women that hold high positions in society.
During socialism, women had a role in the after ‘89: women left politics. Why? They But there was also another debate on whether if
group: there were intellectual women, workers, had achieved their goals and wanted to leave women were to hold positions of power, they’d
… so no, the question of women was not very space for colleagues. They also said they do things differently. And here, one conclusion
important during the transition.” Someone didn’t want to go against the Church and their was that the structures of power would not
from Russia concurred: “Women’s interests fellow dissenters.” But there was also another make it possible for women to act differently.
were seen as secondary issues. Even today, explanation: that there were systemic reasons As one participant put it, “it’s not the case
nobody thinks that it’s part of the democratic for women’s withdrawal from the public that women are any better humans. There are a
process to talk about women’s issues.” sphere: “It was a consequence of reunification. lot of women on the right. Margaret Thatcher
“In Russia, after the ‘90, the strategy is to In the GDR women’s factories were closed cut down on all social benefits. When we talk
be a mother.” And someone from Poland stated: and women’s infrastructure was organised about ‘women power,’ we have to distinguish
“In Poland, we tried everything for the benefit through work. When work fell away, isolation it from patriarchal structures. There are a
of women: bills on gender equality and so on. happened. The structures to resist and to lot of women that have found a very cosy place
They all failed. What made a difference was communicate broke away. It took a while for within patriarchy and that benefit from it
Poland’s joining the EU.” new structures to form. Without work, there enormously. So we as women have to think
was no childcare…all this was understood about what kind of structures we want, what
as personal failure.” In the Czech Republic, kind of work, what kind of economics, … We
“the government had the idea: we will hide need a different system that takes care of
the unemployment if we give maternity leave creation, of dignity, of equality. These are
of up to 4 years.” And also from the Czech feminist structures for me.”
Republic: “conservative men entered politics
and declared ‘the freedom to be a housewife.’ The discussion of gender thus wove together
Many institutions such as childcare closed.” past (the situation of women before and during
And someone from Poland mentions the the transition) and present and offered a
situation today: “Now I am very worried that very complex picture of what happened back
women are given money for children; now they then and what is happening today. It also
will withdraw from the labour market. But I championed the importance of individual
also understand: a lot of work is not exciting. voices and individual experiences and
I understand this decision, but it will have highlighted how different these experiences
consequences in the future.” can be – between countries and between
generations, but also within countries and
The way in which after the transition, generations.
patriarchal structures solidified and
conservative forces took root was an important/ 19
Participants observed the special difficulties first time. At the same time someone from
of being an activist in Russia: “it is such a Germany remarks: “I had the impression that
big country and groups are isolated: we need during reunification, people were so busy with
to create more networks for mutual support, themselves: everything was suddenly cut off,
not to feel alone and to understand that there also relations to other countries which were so
are people who stand up for you. We have to do important before. Suddenly, it was ‘off to new
permanent work with those young people most shores’ and we were no longer interested in
vulnerable to propaganda: most young people the political development of former neighbour
get their information from state-influenced countries, for instance, Russia. But we had
sources.” But activists also emphasized how such similar political developments and we
TO
WH
T RAEVEIS
EEH much work was already being done: how “in should acknowledge these as the basis for a
L E E
I V
LEAVEUSTIC THERE IS Russia, young people vote with their feet!” peaceful coexistence.” Participants emphasized
NORJ .
HE E UT NO JUSTI by protesting out on the streets or leaving the the importance of being connected to fellow
O
WITH CE
D A R I .ITHOUT
T Y
W country. And how despite outside repression, activists from outside of Russia. When asked
SOLI
SOLIDARI there is still space to act: “We need to work to give feedback on the conference, someone
TY.
with peers: many women in Russia are afraid stated: “I had some different visions of Europe
RUSSIA
to be active and even though they share our and it was very important and interesting to
values, they wouldn’t join the protests: so we hear about the experience of Socialist collapse.
need to show them that yes, there are things It came later in the Soviet Union, so it was
to be afraid of, but there is a lot of us and we very important to me to hear these earlier
can all work together. Don’t be afraid and stay stories. To me, the main result is that we
active.” could build connections that are directed to
The theme of Russia and its position vis- the future, because really: the problems we
à-vis other countries and Europe was another are dealing with are very similar, but we
thread running through the discussions. In all use different tools. And how did you all
particular, there was the sense of a double “IN 1990, I HAD MY FIRST CONTACT WITH achieve your success – because your success is
isolation that activists in Russia face: within SOMEONE FROM ABROAD. BEFORE THAT, tremendous: comparing what you have done to
their own country and within Europe. Spaces I HAD LIVED IN A CLOSED COUNTRY AND what we have done.”
for activism are shrinking within Russia, for WORKED IN A CLOSED INSTITUTION. I WAS
instance, with the government’s taking control ALREADY 40 YEARS OLD.” CONFERENCE
of financial resources and expecting “to be PARTICIPANT FROM RUSSIA
paid with loyalty.” And this is aggravated by
the threat of the general isolation of Russia
within Europe, another important topic of The focus was not only on the isolation
discussion. And yet activists stake a claim: we within Russia, but also on Russia’s situation
also belong, we will not leave. within Europe and here, a very complicated
picture emerged. There was the sense that
relations changed significantly after the
transitions, breaking isolation and making
contacts to other countries possible for the/ 20 Many people commented on the uneasy During some moments of the conference, the relationship between Russia and their relations became very visible between actors own country today, and also on their own from different historical contexts. Thus the uneasiness vis-à-vis Russia. “I am not conference provided a good opportunity to proud of this, but I have to realize how far uncover the different perspectives as well as from my mindset Russia is,” someone from some of the blind spots and mutual ignorance— Germany admitted. There was also concern all of which are an incentive for further work about Russia’s situation today. As someone and collaboration. from Germany said: “I deeply regret that after the transitions, the Soviet Union/Russia was pushed out of Europe. It was clear to us how much we had the Soviet Union to be thankful for. There was so much that was undignified: the way the Soviet Army was treated, for instance. All the things that happened in the 90s: the Eastern expansion of NATO. Even Putin was initially very open to Europe. But then Russia was pushed farther and farther, and so, as a result, Russia isolated herself. And so the bogeyman of Russia became again the new bogeyman. Back then we missed out on a huge opportunity to rebuild the common house Europe together with Russia.” And someone from Russia spoke about the difficult relations between Russia and other countries in the following way: “Concerning the relationship between Russia and Europe, there are a lot of mixed feelings having to do with history. Russia is a very aggressive colonial empire and that should be clear especially when we talk about Eastern Europe as a symbol of hope or as examples of how things could be done differently. But when we speak of international solidarity, we shouldn’t just say: this is evil Russia, evil Putin, but think about how on the individual level, we tend to reproduce the same hierarchies and dynamics.”
/ 21
and social consequences of the transitions
of 1989/90 and environmental issues. The
perceived similarity of the problems faced by
women at the conference was seen as a base
“I AM ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE for solidarity and as a bridge to overcome the
CONNECTION TO RUSSIA—IN THE LAST FIVE isolation felt by actors, especially those from
YEARS, I’VE NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY Russia within their own country and within
TO GET TO KNOW RUSSIAN ACTIVISTS.” Europe.
CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT FROM
TCH
OENR CZECH REPUBLIC Solidarity was also discussed as a vision for
CELUIS
SH AND SIONS
T OE
LRID N O FROUTL creating solidary communities, by way of
EAI
R E
PAST I
S T Y, E DO
OOMK
N O RAND WIT changing existing social and power relations
PREF S
EEDO
M
HOU
T
WIT ENT – DIVE in response to people’s basic needs that are
HOU RSIT
T Y.
DIVE also anchored locally. Here we encountered
RSIT
Y.
When asked what they were leaving with, feminist approaches to searching for ways of
participants emphasized the feeling of changing patriarchal power structures. Some
solidarity created through the encounters at conference participants found a common vision
the conference: between countries, within of a necessary deep-rooted system change;
countries, and between different activist others emphasized the necessity to widen the
groups. For some, the end of Communism had scopes of action for women within existing
also meant the end of solidarity and interest power structures in order to take on an active
amongst the countries of the former Eastern role in the transitions happening right now.
“I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE BECAUSE AS Bloc. Others felt that the end of Communism
AN ACTIVIST, I FEEL ISOLATION. THE REST meant the creation of new relations—for
OF EUROPE FEELS FEAR OF RUSSIA AND WE instance, new connections between OWEN and
INSIDE RUSSIA DO NOT FEEL THE SUPPORT its partner organizations in the 1990s. The
OF OTHER PEOPLE IN EUROPE. IT IS VERY conference gave women a chance to take up both
IMPORTANT TO FEEL SOLIDARITY BECAUSE old and new threads of connection. Content-
IT IS ALSO ABOUT FEELING THAT YOU ARE wise, more connections were discovered than
NOT ALONE AND MAYBE THAT WAY WE CAN DO expected. For instance, the Polish experience
SOMETHING.” CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT of fighting for women’s rights such as the
FROM RUSSIA right to abortion was seen as crucial for
all women in all countries because in all
countries, the threat of a conservative or
right-wing turn was perceived. However,
other broader political topics also emerged as
common themes. Those included the economic/ 22
The first part of this presentation will refer The emigration movement
to socio-political contexts and non-state actor By signing the CSCE Final Act in 1975, the
groups from the period before 1989, while the GDR had committed itself to respecting human
second part will focus on the dynamics from rights and fundamental freedoms. This also
1989/90 up to the day the GDR acceded to the included freedom of travel and emigration.
jurisdiction of the FRG’s (Federal Republic of From 1977 onwards, GDR citizens were able to
Germany’s) Grundgesetz (Constitution) on 3 apply for an emigration permit. Between 1961
October 1990. Starting in 1990, these dynamics and 1988, more than 380,000 people officially
were largely co-determined by external actor left the GDR, about 222,000 people left the
S groups. GDR by routes of escape, prisoner trade or not
WHOEM
T REEN IAS
RSSTICE returning to the GDR from an approved visit
AOCTJ OU
N Actor groups in the 1980s to the West. The waves of emigration had
OUTT IH
WITH NETRH Despite, or perhaps because of, the relatively dramatic consequences, especially through
A R I
U TPY. EEIS
O L I D N O HEAV
S
OF FREE ALS
DO
high standard of living compared to other the devastating loss of well-trained skilled
WIT1989/9 M Eastern Bloc countries, the dissatisfaction workers and academics. Although felt by
HOU
T 0
DIVE of the people in the GDR grew in the 1980s. everyone throughout the entire GDR, these
RSIT
Y.
Their lack of individual liberty, freedom consequences were neither publicly mentioned
of the press, democratic basic rights, as nor discussed.
well as the progress of socialism constantly
heralded by party and state leadership had The peace, human rights,
increased the distance to the state to the point and environmental movement critical
of estrangement for many people. The party of the state
Women as actors in the and state leadership feared that reforms could Another counter-movement that was important
upheavals of 1989/90 get out of hand and ultimately challenge the for the upheavals and changes of 1989 emerged
Presentation by Marina Grasse party’s single predominance. in the early 1980s with the peace, human
(shortened version) rights and environmental groups that were
critical of the system and independent of the
There were many women who entered the state. Many women and men emerging from
political stage during the period of upheaval these groups founded civic movements and new
of the GDR (the German Democratic Republic) in parties from autumn 1989 onwards.
1989/90 and who helped to set into motion the
“revolution from below”. The majority of these Similar to the Federal Republic, the GDR
actors had already become politically active also saw the emergence of a peace movement
in various opposition groups in the 1980s and independent of the state, which opposed any
were co-founders of the civic movements set up form of rearmament and militarization.
in the fall of 1989. In particular, the Protestant Church and
its congregations played a key role in its
emergence, work and development./ 23
The first peace groups in Berlin were formed The majority of peace, human rights and there was virtually no contact between these
in the parish of Alt-Pankow (with Pastor Ruth environmental groups were “mixed-gender”, “reform groups” and the peace, human rights
Misselwitz) and the Samaritan parish (with as was the case with the group “Pankower and environmental groups, and if so, only on a
Pastor Reiner Eppelmann). Further peace Friedenskreis” (Pankow Peace Circle). An personal level.
groups were established in the early 1980s in exception was the women’s group “Frauen für
other cities of the GDR such as Halle, Erfurt, den Frieden” (“Women for Peace”) which was Many actors had learned to debate in the
Jena, Dresden and Leipzig. organized in October 1982 as a reaction to opposition groups. They had learned to defend
the new GDR military service law. The law their political convictions even against
After the failure of the peace movement and stipulated that women could be drafted into resistance. Many were able to overcome the
the beginning of the stationing of modernized military service in case of mobilization. The feeling of political and social isolation and
medium-range missiles in both German “Frauen für den Frieden” formed a nationwide became simply “braver”. Nevertheless, in
states, new groups were formed from 1983 network and opposed the militarization of 1989, when events came thick and fast, no
onwards. They linked the issue of peace more society with letters of protest and other one was prepared to suddenly step into the
closely with human rights and environmental actions. The groups were in contact with spotlight of the public at large and assume
problems, referring above all to the Final each other and with women’s peace groups political power and responsibility for the
Act of the CSCE. The issue of human rights, in Western Europe. From the mid-1980s future of the GDR.
which was extremely sensitive for the party onwards, feminist groups and lesbian groups
and state leadership, increasingly directed increasingly took part in the networking Groups of actors in 1989 and 1990
the vigilance and destructive efforts of the meetings. This expansion led to conflicts In 1989, the political systems in Poland,
state security organs towards those human between women from feminist groups and those Hungary, Czechoslovakia and the GDR collapse.
rights groups that they considered to be who saw themselves primarily as “political” In the GDR, the protest against SED policies
particularly “negative and hostile”. In groups. For some, women’s issues and the and the power apparatus spreads from the
Berlin, these groups included the “Frieden criticism of patriarchy were central. For private sphere and semi-public sphere to the
und Menschenrechte” (“Peace and Human others, criticism of the system was central; whole of society. New political actors and
Rights”) initiative, the group “Gegenstimmen” they saw themselves first as part of the peace groups of actors emerge. Representatives of the
(“Countervoices”), the “Kirche von unten” movement and only then as a women’s group. old bloc parties, such as CDU, LDPD, NDPD,
(“Church from Below”), the Berliner The diversity of the women’s backgrounds and who supported the previous policy, reorient
Umweltbibliothek (Berlin Environmental motives led to conflicts, but also made it and reposition themselves and enter into new
Library), the group “Absage an Praxis und possible to establish links with other peace, alliances. The party and state leadership
Prinzip der Ausgrenzung” (“Rejection of the human rights, environmental, feminist and are disempowered, and new power structures
Practice and Principle of Exclusion”) and the lesbian groups. emerge in favor of the old bloc parties.
Friedenskreis (Peace Circle) of the Samaritan
Community. There were also comrades within the SED The developments are coming in a rapid
who, as academics, worked on concepts for succession at this state. In what follows,
the opening and democratization of socialist I will outline them in several stages.
society, such as the project group “Moderner
Sozialismus” (“Modern Socialism”) at the
Humboldt University of Berlin. However,/ 24
A new start between May and August 1989 A radical change in the revolutionary of women in “Neues Forum” has been very
Local elections are held in the GDR on 7 May. phase from September to December 1989 high from the outset, in contrast to other new
For the first time, an alliance of peace, human From September to the beginning of December civic movements such as “Demokratie Jetzt”
rights and environmental groups succeeds 1989, new political actors come together and and “Demokratischer Aufbruch.” Not having
in proving the falsification of the election new forms of action emerge. been involved with any opposition group
results and making it public. There are before 1989, the physicist Angela Merkel joins
growing and continuing protests nationwide. In September, the “Neues Forum” (“New “Demokratischer Aufbruch,” which merges with
Security forces take massive action against Forum”) publishes its founding proclamation. the block party CDU in August 1990.
the expanding demonstrations, which provokes This is followed by the formation of other
further protest. Outrage grows when the SED civic movements, such as “Demokratie Jetzt” On 4 September, the big Monday demonstrations
leadership publicly supports the suppression of (Democracy Now”), “Demokratischer Aufbruch” in Leipzig begin. For the first time, banners
the protests on Tiananmen Square in Beijing in (“New Democratic Beginning”), “Vereinigte are carried with the demand for an “open
June 1989 as an act against counterrevolution. Linke” (“United Left”). The initiators and country with free people”, freedom of assembly
After the opening of the border between first signatories come largely from the peace, and association. In other cities of the
Hungary and Austria, from summer onwards human rights and environmental groups that country, too, thousands take to the streets to
many thousands of emigrants and refugees emerged in the 1980s. Their common goal is demonstrate for democratic reforms and free
turn their backs on the GDR. This emigration to achieve social dialogue and to persuade elections.
movement can no longer be stopped. the GDR leadership to undertake fundamental
social reforms. They want democracy NOW, On 7 October, the SED celebrates the 40th
political pluralism, free elections and thus anniversary of the Republic in Berlin with
the end of the SED’s sole claim to power great pomp. High-ranking guests of state
and monopoly of power. However, at least in are invited - including Michael Gorbachev.
this phase there is not (yet) any talk of the On the fringes of the official celebrations,
“abolition of socialism” and the unification of there are parallel demonstrations with calls
the two German states. such as “We are the people”, “No violence”,
“Gorbi help us”, and “Neues Forum”. After
The “Neues Forum” is particularly popular. the departure of the state guests, police and
Its founding proclamation begins with the security forces proceed with brutal and random
sentence “In our country, the communication attacks. At the Monday demonstration in
between state and society is obviously Leipzig on 9 October, 70,000 people demonstrate
disturbed.” The “Neues Forum” aims to be for political reforms, shouting “We are the
a “political platform” for broad democratic people”. The situation is extremely tense,
dialogue. It is concerned with building but the protesters remain peaceful. From that
a democratic, ecologically sustainable day on, security forces are no longer deployed
society that allows for competition but not against the demonstrators, and the events come
for unchecked growth, social injustice and thick and fast.
exploitation of economically weaker countries.
The proclamation touches the nerve of many
people. As of the beginning of October, 10,000
people have already signed it. The proportion/ 25
For the first time, the Politburo of the On 3 December, the entire Politburo and The approach of the UFV is political.
SED declares its willingness to engage in Central Committee of the SED step down from Paramount is the creation of a modern
dialogue and announces proposals for a broad their functions. The same evening, hundreds socialism in the GDR in a “common European
discussion on “attractive socialism”. Erich of women gather at the Berliner Volksbühne. House”. This involves the ecological
Honecker resigns, with Egon Krenz becoming The national “Unabhängiger Frauenverband” reorganisation of the economy, democracy, an
his successor as Secretary General of the or UFV (“Independent Women’s Association”) open multicultural society and coexistence
SED and Chairman of the State Council and is founded at the initiative of the “Lila in solidarity. In distinction to most other
announcing the beginning of a “turnaround”. Offensive”, which was founded in October, new movements, the majority of the initiators
The population, however, no longer believes in among other new women’s initiatives. A come from the SED or SED-related environment
a “turnaround from above” but has set out to manifesto has already been prepared with the and the “reform wing” within the party.
bring about a “turnaround from below” with title: “Without women there can be no state”. The UFV brings together very different actors
the motto “We are the people”. Behind this slogan is the fear that women’s from different women’s groups. It wants to be
political interests will not be taken into a collective movement, platform and action
On November 4, the largest - approved - account in the political changes underway. In alliance, but at the same time aims at being
mass demonstration in the history of the the calls and programs of the new movements a direct political AND feminist actor. To
GDR takes place on Berlin’s Alexanderplatz, “Neues Forum”, “Demokratie Jetzt” und combine both in this time of tumultuous events
initiated and organized by theater artists “Demokratischer Aufbruch”, as well as in the is an enormous strategic challenge that holds
of the Deutsches Theater and members of program of the Social Democratic Party founded a lot of potential for conflict.
the “Neues Forum.” Hundreds of thousands on 7 October, women’s political interests were
demand reforms, free elections and freedom of not mentioned. In order to be able to participate in the
expression. elections to the GDR’s People’s Chamber,
the UFV is officially founded as a political
Even after the resignation of the entire GDR association in February 1990 and enters into
government and the opening of the Wall on an alliance with the Green Party.
9 November 1989, demonstrations continue
throughout the country. Thousands of GDR
citizens continue to leave the country. At
the end of the month, first in Plauen, then
in Leipzig, the call for “Germany United
Fatherland” grows louder.
The entire government resigns before the end of
November. Hans Modrow is elected as the new
Prime Minister and forms a new government,
which agrees to convene a round table with the
representatives of the opposition, following
the Polish model. Representatives of the
two Christian churches are to take over the
moderation.You can also read
