Podcast
After spending time as a tour guide, I became frustrated by only being able to discuss Berlin and German history. I wanted to explore stories from around the world—because history everywhere is fascinating! This led me to launch the podcast, originally called “The History Buff,” now rebranded as the Ministry of History Podcast.
East Germany (Part 4): Women in the GDR
Was East Germany really a better place to be a woman?
In this episode, Tina and Artie explore the complicated reality of women’s lives in the GDR - a state where women worked at some of the highest rates in the world, had extensive childcare, greater economic independence and comparatively liberal reproductive rights, but still faced the Doppelbelastung of work and home, workplace sexism and exclusion from real political power.
We also look at sex, abortion, divorce, the “Great Orgasm War,” independent women’s movements and what reunification meant for East German women - politically liberating, but for many, economically devastating.
Was the GDR a feminist success, a patriarchal dictatorship, or something far more complicated?
This episode is available to watch as a video on YouTube.
The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.
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