Women were only permitted to enter employment with the consent of their husbands, and only if "this was compatible with their marital and family duties". Until 1977 this was the wording of a law that regulated the division of labor between married couples in Germany. Unthinkable from today's point of view. The battle for equal rights is due to the efforts of generations – it is marked by international World Women's Day, which takes place on March 8 each year.
For more than 100 years, women around the world have taken to the streets to fight for the right to vote and for the right to education, work, self-determination and equal wages. And even though the fight for equal rights has been ongoing for a long time, there is no rapid end in sight. At the current rate of progress, the global gap between the genders in politics, business, health and education will close in 99.5 years. This is the conclusion reached in the 2020 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum. So another 100 years before men and women actually enjoy equal rights. Which makes it all the more important to accelerate the change – both in society and in the workplace.
Daimler is part of the first worldwide initiative that specifically seeks to promote and strengthen women within the company: the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles are a joint initiative by UN Women and UN Global Compact. In signing them, Daimler has undertaken to integrate these principles into its day-to-day operations. "Diversity" is the basis of our daily activities. In fact our corporate history dictates that the pioneering spirit of the intrepid Bertha Benz is part of Daimler's DNA, so to speak. Our corporation has 298,655 employees worldwide. A living mix of cultures, skills and lifestyles. Every individual contributes a very personal point of view. This is about four strong women. And their points of view. Allow me to introduce Amie, Margit, Antje and Chantalle.