History
History
In May 1981, after the release of the article 'Princesses Mortes', the journalist, Ingrid Staehle, had the idea together with the human rights organisation, 'Sentinelles', based in Lausanne, to found an organisation for women in Germany. The result was TERRE DES FEMMES, sub-titled 'Human Rights for Women'. The similarity of this name to the international aid organisation, terre des hommes, was deliberate; it was meant to show that the other half of humanity also has a right to a decent existence.
TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland was founded on 25 November 2003, the International Day Against Violence Against Women. The founding members are former members of OFRA (Organisation für die Sache der Frau ['Organisation for the Cause of Women']), which played a significant role in the left-wing autonomous scene during the time of the great women's movement.
TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland grew continuously, despite serious financial bottlenecks and difficulties with human resources, which is an unambiguous indication that both the general public and institutions regard TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland 's work as significant and essential.
In 2013, TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland will celebrate its 10th anniversary.