10 December 2024

On the evening of 3 December 2024, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences was all about women's rights and equality. Under the title "105 years of women's suffrage / 75 years of equal rights", a multifaceted event took place, organised by the university as part of the "HSN-Impulse" series. Numerous interested parties, including members of the university and guests from the region, accepted the invitation to look back together on the achievements of the women's movement.

Equality is not a question of opinions or ideologies - it is a fundamental right to which everyone is entitled. Vice President Prof Dr Cordula Borbe opened the event with this statement. This was followed by a short introductory lecture by Prof. Dr Viola Sporleder-Geb on the development of women's rights in Germany, which summarised the most important milestones and challenges in a compact manner.

Afterwards, Susanne Selbert, granddaughter of the important lawyer Elisabeth Selbert, gave an impressive lecture on the life and work of her grandmother. Elisabeth Selbert was one of the four "Mothers of the Basic Law" and formulated the sentence "Men and women have equal rights", which she campaigned for to be enshrined in Article 3 Paragraph 2 of the Basic Law. With personal insights and historical context, Susanne Selbert illustrated the immense significance of this sentence - a message that moved the audience.

Another highlight of the evening was the screening of a film documenting the life and work of Elisabeth Selbert in the Parliamentary Council in 1948/49. The film impressively showed the perseverance and courage with which women like Elisabeth Selbert campaigned for equal rights and at the same time took a look at the political and social hurdles of the time.

The event was rounded off with a joint snack organised by the university's scientific association. In a relaxed atmosphere, the participants had the opportunity to discuss what they had heard and exchange ideas. "It was an evening full of insights and deep respect for the achievements of the women's movement," said Prof. Dr Viola Sporleder-Geb, who organised the event together with Vice President Prof. Dr Cordula Borbe.

The event highlighted the importance of Article 3, paragraph 2 and emphasised that even 75 years later, equal rights are still not a matter of course in society.