International Women* Space (IWS)

International Women* Space (IWS) is a feminist, anti-racist political group in Berlin with refugee and migrant women* and non-migrant women* as members. We fight patriarchy and document everyday violence, racism, sexism and all kinds of discrimination.

“Our feminisms are intersectional and internationalist, we stand for resistance, representation, empowerment and solidarity”

International Women* Space was founded in 2012 during the refugee moment’s occupation in Berlin-Kreuzberg, forming a women’s front within the refugee movement aligning the fights against both racism and sexism together.

“Every year on the 8th of March – International Women*’s Day – and on the 25th of November – International Day For the Elimination of Violence Against Women* – we call out to join us in protest and say: every woman has the right to live a life free from violence! Every act of violence against women* is an attack on our freedoms! We call for an end to isolation and deportation – and for freedom of movement for all! We welcome every woman that joins our fight. Our unity is our strength.”

In different projects and collaborations, IWS is documenting, breaking isolation, representing, and also resisting – to make their voices heard and form part of the conversation, instead of being talked about and made invisible. Among others, IWS is working on “building a migrant justice community of practice” together with Equinox and Greek Forum of Migrants, working on safer spaces for queer issues through raising intersectional awareness, political empowerment, and community-led education in the “resilient voices” working group. On their website, many resources of and for the organisation’s community can be found, such as “our stories” or the documentary of “Kämpfer*innen” (english: fighters), but also a list of local support services for refugee and migrant women in Berlin, e.g. In cases of violence against women.