Deutscher Frauenrat (National Council of German Women's Organizations)

The National Council of German Women's Organizations, founded 1952, is an umbrella organisation of more than 50 nationwide women's associations and organisations. Its members are professional and religious associations, women's groups of political parties, trade unions and the German Sports Federation, as well as non-partisan organisations with a diverse array of social and political objectives. The National Council is the biggest women's lobby in Germany. As a non-profit association, it operates primarily on public funding. It is recognised as a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The National Council has a special advisor status at the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and is a member of the European Women's Lobby (EWL). Its aim is to achieve gender equality, i.e., equal opportunities and equal status for women and men in both work and family, in politics, business and culture, as one of the main concerns of a democratic society. For this purpose, the National Council publishes its positions and work in its magazine (“FrauenRat“) as well as a newsletter. The National Council organises and participates in campaigns, is represented in a number of commissions and civil society alliances, and communicates with many associations, networks and initiatives. Within the Federal Council, the National Council promotes communication and exchange among the member associations.