Consultancy, support and organisational development
A key focus of the work carried out by the Central Women’s Representative and Equality Officer and her deputies is providing personal advice to women and INTA* individuals (inter, non-binary, trans and asexual people) at HU – particularly in cases of sexualised discrimination and harassment.
At the same time, together with her deputies – and in close collaboration with the Gender Equality & Equity department – she develops equality strategies, management tools and support programmes, oversees their implementation, analyses current developments and designs strategic public relations work.
The overarching aim of all these activities is to go beyond the individual advancement of women to contribute to a gender-equitable organisational culture, eliminate structural inequalities and enable the equal participation of all university members – regardless of gender, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Central Women´s Representative and Equal Opportunities Officer
Dr.in Verena Namberger
Deputy Central Women´s Representatives and Equal Opportunities Officers
Rike Braden
Dr.in Kristina Kütt
Caroline Kunert
Local Women's Representatives and Equal Opportunities Officers
HU has an extensive network of local Women’s Representatives and Equal Opportunities officers. These officers are elected within their respective departments and serve as the first point of contact for all female students* and staff*. They support appointment and recruitment processes, advise local stakeholders on the development of equality plans, and initiate equality measures within their departments and faculties.
Are you interested in standing for election as a Women’s Representative and Equal Opportunities Officer for your department? We welcome your commitment and would be happy to advise you on the associated responsibilities.
Legal basis
The legal basis for the work of the Women’s Representative and Equal Opportunities Officer is Section 59 of the Berlin Higher Education Act (BerlHG) and the State Equal Opportunities Act (LGG). Since 1992, all higher education institutions in Berlin have been required by law to appoint a Women’s Representative and Equal Opportunities Officer to work towards achieving equal opportunities in teaching and research.
By law, Women’s Representatives and Equal Opportunities Officers are not bound by technical instructions at either central or decentralised level and are free to shape their role independently within the framework of their statutory mandate.
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has declared gender equality to be a priority in its mission statement and constitution, treating it as both a higher education policy and a practical task.
Women's Representatives and Equal Opportunities Officer: Networks
The Women’s Representatives and Equal Opportunities Officers at Berlin’s universities are networked across the city through the State Conference of Women’s Representatives and Equal Opportunities Officers (LakoF Berlin). LakoF works closely with the relevant Senate departments for equality and science, as well as with the Working Group of Women’s and Gender Research Institutions at Berlin’s Universities (afg).
The nationwide association is the Federal Conference of Women’s Representatives and Equal Opportunities Officers at Universities (bukof).