Jena, 09.03.2026 – On the occasion of International Women’s Day, numerous people took to the streets in Jena to demonstrate for real gender justice. Under the motto “We fight, we strike, we live,” various organizations and the “Bündnis 8. März” drew attention to persistent social grievances.
- Event: Demonstrations and feminist strike for International Women’s Day
- Date: Actions around March 8th until today, Monday (09.03.2026)
- Demands: Elimination of pay gaps, fair distribution of care work, end to sexualized violence
- Actors: Bündnis 8. März Jena, various political representatives and organizations
Broad Spectrum of Topics at Rallies
The call for a “Feminist Strike” met with a great response in Jena. In the speeches during the demonstrations, central social problems were addressed relentlessly. The focus was primarily on the structural disadvantage of women in the labor market, which manifests itself in sometimes blatant pay gaps, as well as the still unequal distribution of unpaid care and nursing work.
In addition, urgent attention was drawn to rampant sexualized violence up to femicides (murders of women because of their gender). To emphasize the demands, women and queer people in Thüringen and throughout the federal territory also laid down their wage and care work today, Monday.
Decentralized Actions in the City Area
In addition to the central mobilization by the Jena “Bündnis 8. März,” there were also decentralized actions in the city area to engage directly with citizens and provide educational work. For example, a constituency office with an information stand in the district of Lobeda provided information on women’s policy issues and local support services.
Background: March 8th and the Feminist Strike
International Women’s Day on March 8th is observed worldwide to draw attention to women’s rights and existing discrimination. While the day is now a public holiday in the German federal states of Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, this does not apply to Thüringen. This is precisely where the “Feminist Strike” comes in: by consciously laying down paid wage work as well as unpaid domestic and care work, it is intended to show that the economy and society would stand still without the performance of women and queer people. In Jena, a strong, diverse network of student groups, trade unions, and civil society initiatives has formed in recent years, organizing this day of action locally.
Source:
Free, safe, self-determined – feminist strike demands real gender justice
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.