We cannot afford the patriarchy

According to Schröder, this is a questionable figure—but the real problem with the statement lies in the fact that “this argument reduces values like justice and equality to mere economic metrics and turns them into commodities.”

The (exclusively male) representatives of the business associations ignore the reality and the scale of the problems that women face daily. “There are exactly two days a year when the media, politicians, and society talk about femicides, domestic violence, pay gaps, and glass ceilings: March 8, International Women’s Day, and November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Before, in between, and afterward: silence. Moving March 8 to a Sunday, as proposed, would mean silencing even this holiday under a veil of silence.”

Incidentally, Berlin is the federal state with the fewest public holidays.

Also in taz, Marie Frank highlights another cost argument in response to the debate on Women’s Day: the costs generated (primarily) by men in positions of power—through excessive bonuses, tax evasion, or corporate crime. In that sense, it is the patriarchy we can no longer afford. “Let’s get rid of men in power—not Women’s Day,” Frank argues.

“What Men Cost: The High Price of Patriarchy” is also the title of a book by Boris von Heesen and the topic of an event featuring the author at the herCAREER Academy.

Accidents, addiction, violence, white-collar crime, extremism—”Men dominate the statistics of the abyss.” In his book, Boris von Heesen compiles the staggering price we all pay for toxic male behaviors: in Germany, more than 63 billion euros every year—at the very least. In his talk, he discusses the causes and consequences of this dramatic imbalance and what we can do about it. His thesis: There are ways out of this dilemma, and they start with more feminism—even for men.

At #herCAREER, every day is Women’s Day, but International Women’s Day, with its long tradition in the fight for #GenderEquality, remains a significant date. It reminds us all of how much women have already achieved—but also how much still lies ahead to create truly equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender, background, or social status.
For a compact overview of women’s rights achievements, visit our page: UNAPOLOGETIC FEMALITY – T-Shirt.

And there are setbacks—which is perhaps not surprising. “The stronger women become, the greater the resistance—I call this phenomenon the ‘feminist paradox,’” says Dr. Susanne Kaiser, author of Backlash – The New Violence Against Women in an interview with herCAREER.

“The backlash and authoritarian movements show just how far feminist achievements have come. There is much greater awareness of violence against women. (…) I remain optimistic about the progress we are making in terms of equality. The majority wants to live in a democracy. These advancements cannot simply be reversed—nor can the awareness of toxic masculinity.”

Posted by Natascha Hoffner,Founder & CEO of herCAREER | Recipient of the FTAfelicitas Award from Femtec.Alumnae e.V. | LinkedIn Top Voice 2020 | Editor of the “Women of the Year” books published by Callwey Verlag
published on LinkedIn on 05.03.2025