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Women at the Technical University: A Path to Equal Opportunities!
The Karlsruhe University of Technology, now KIT, has shown a remarkable development in the proportion of women in higher education since 1885.
Women at the Technical University: A Path to Equal Opportunities!
Access to higher education for women in Germany was severely restricted until the late 19th century. During this time, women in countries such as the USA, France and Switzerland already had access to universities and colleges. It was not until 1885 that a private school for women painters was founded in Karlsruhe under the patronage of Grand Duchess Luise. Two years later, in 1887, women were allowed to attend lectures at Karlsruhe Technical University as guest auditors, but initially only in the subjects of art and literary history. Clara Immerwahr, one of the first female chemists to receive a doctorate, emphasized the topic of “Chemistry in the Kitchen and Home” in her lectures.
In 1900, women in Baden were given permission to study. Johanna Kappes gained importance as one of the first regularly enrolled students. Magdalena Meub made history when she became Germany's first licensed pharmacist, and Thekla Schild set another milestone by becoming Baden's first qualified engineer. Irene Rosenberg was the first woman to receive her doctorate at the Chemical Institute in 1915, which gave women an important place in science.
Women at universities through the ages
During the 1920s, women at the technical college were a total exception. The National Socialist measures from 1934 led to drastic restrictions on admission, which resulted in a decline in the number of female students. After the Second World War, women gradually returned to universities. The proportion of women increased noticeably in the 1960s - from 8% in 1970 to over 14% in 1980. The proportion of women at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is currently around 29%.
Dagmar Gerthsen was appointed as the first female professor in 1993, while in 2022 only 18% of professorships were held by women. KIT is actively committed to equal opportunities and diversity and tries to promote access to education for all genders. The Center for Equal Opportunities (CfC) is a contact point for equal opportunities for women and men and supports the university in eliminating disadvantages for academically active women and students. The university's equal opportunities officer is responsible for representing the interests of female employees in administration and technology.
Current challenges and goals
According to the State Higher Education Act, it is the responsibility of universities to take the diversity of their members and university staff into account. The goal is to actually enforce equal opportunities for women and men so that all university members, regardless of gender, origin or marital status, can participate equally in university life. Despite progress, there remain challenges that need to be overcome to create a truly equitable educational environment. The Federal Agency for Civic Education highlights that gender inequalities in education still exist and that special efforts are needed to overcome them.