The German Association of Women Physicians (Deutscher Ärztinnenbund – DAB) celebrated their centenary on 25th October this year. MWIA Secretary General Dr Mariam Jashi joined us in Berlin, on the same day as the 105th Birthday of MWIA. In her keynote speech she highlighted the achievements of the MWIA and its role in global politics, through partnerships e.g. with UN or WHO.
Dr Christiane Gross, President of DÄB characterised the DÄB as an alliance that offers women in the medical profession ‘support from their student days up to the top positions. She summarised some of the DÄB’s current issues. These include: a lack of parity on medical committees and too few female doctors in top positions, especially at universities, sexism in the medical profession, and career obstacles that women face because they are mothers or caregivers – such as a lack of childcare or caring for older people.
High-ranking historians and ethicists spoke at the ceremony about the history and the current role of DAB in German society, a Klezmer Band played songs leading the audience through one centennial of Medical Women.
Dr Renate Böhm
Fig 1. MWIA Guests at the Centennial Celebration of DÄB: front row: second from right: Dr Mariam Jashi (Secretary General MWIA), second row from right Dr. Adelheid Schneider-Gilg (Switzerland), Dr. Edith Schratzberger-Vecsei (Austria), Prof. Dr. Francisca Griffioen (Netherlands)
Fig 2. Exco of the German Medical Women´s Association: 3rd from left: Dr Christiane Gross (President)