Many girls and women in Africa suffer from the effects of female genital mutilation (FGM), although it is banned in several countries. Doctors on the ground and in Germany provide medical and psychological help.

Revolutionary socialists Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were executed 100 years ago in Berlin. In the ensuing century, Luxemburg has become a cult figure for the left — and for feminists, artists and pacifists.

Germany, A modern country ruled by a powerful female chancellor for three consecutive terms, might appear unlikely to be high on an index of aggressive gender behavior.

They paved the way for equal rights in Germany, were visionaries in male-dominated fields and leading feminists: Here are eight pioneers from German-speaking countries you need to know.

Yes, Angela Merkel has been in charge for 13 years, and Germany was a relatively early pioneer for women’s suffrage. But there’s still plenty of work to do to increase women’s representation in politics.

Malala Yousafzai

Young Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai says that “one child, one pen, one book and one teacher can change the world”. Aimen Rubab agrees but points out that problems arise if the child is a girl, the pen is not free, books are not available and teachers are “totally biased against female students”.

Sustainable fashion is becoming more mainstream thanks to eco-friendly fashion bloggers and industry heavyweights doing their bit. But the turbo consumerism of the fast fashion phenomenon remains a serious problem.