Makers and victims of unification: German women and the two Germanies

Abstract This article analyses the role played by women in the upheavals of 1989 in East Germany and the consequences for women of German unification. While East German women participated fully in the ‘October revolution,’ they have not reaped the benefits of political change. The economic consequences of unification as well are affecting women negatively; women from the former East Germany are clearly losing the rights that they used to enjoy.