Freie Universität Berlin is not only committed to supporting and expanding gender equity, equal opportunities, and family-friendly conditions for students and employees, it also fundamentally promotes critical reflection on gender as an analytical category in research and teaching. In pursuit of these goals, the university strives to ensure that women are represented equitably across all status groups and levels of employment, while at the same time analyzing and transforming discriminatory structures. The overall goal is a profound transformation that results in the active and equitable inclusion of all university members – regardless of their sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation – in shaping all aspects of this institution.

As stated in Section 59.8 of the Berlin Higher Education Act (Berliner Hochschulgesetz) and as enshrined in Germany’s constitution, women representatives and gender equality officers (as well as their deputies) are charged with establishing equal opportunities for women at universities and overcoming discrimination against female members of universities. Whether on a central, university-wide level or a decentralized, departmental level, they are not beholden to directives from within a specific field or unit but are able to perform their responsibilities independently based on the parameters defined by law.

The Chief Gender Equality Officer of Freie Universität Berlin and her team (Gender*Equality Team) support the Executive Board and other central university boards and committees in implementing legislative requirements related to gender equity. The office works together with other advocates for equity from across the university, including within the departments, and in particular with those areas that are part of Freie Universität’s equity structures.

Some of the main issues addressed include developing tools and resources to promote equity, establishing funding opportunities, providing counselling services, building networks, gaining professional qualifications, analyzing current developments, and planning strategic public relations efforts. In addition to advancing individual women in their careers, the various activities and responsibilities covered by the Gender*Equality Team are connected by the common goals of creating a university culture that is characterized by gender equity and dismantling structural inequality within the university organization.