Equal Pay Day | Day of equal pay in the workplace
On average, women in Germany earn 16% less than men, according to the Gender Pay Gap 2025 calculated by the Federal Statistical Office. Equal Pay Day - or Equal Pay Day - draws attention to this inequality: it symbolically marks the day up to or from which women would mathematically work without pay. Every year in the fall, the University of Siegen hosts an evening of exciting activities - from readings and lectures to quizzes, cabaret and poetry slams.
Archive
On November 4, 2025, an online reading with Susanne Mierau, a qualified educationalist and author, took place to mark Equal Pay Day. She read from her book "Caring for each other. Why our society needs a new way of working together" and spoke about the question of why care as a social value often receives too little attention.
In a lively and open discussion with the participants, Mierau showed that it is not just about individual solutions for family and work, but about a fundamental rethink in politics, business and society. Her plea for more social responsibility and solidarity was met with great interest and gave food for thought.
The event was organized by Aktionsbündnis Frauenarbeit Siegerland, which includes the DGB-Kreisverband Siegen-Wittgenstein, DGB Jugend, Junge GEW NRW, IG Metall Siegen-Wittgenstein, ver.di Südwestfalen, the University of Siegen's Equal Opportunities Officer and the University of Siegen's network of university secretariats. The online reading offered a valuable space for exchange and inspiration - in the spirit of the Equal Pay Action Day.
A full house, a good atmosphere and plenty of aha moments: At the "Close the gap" pub quiz at Verstärker Siegen on November 7, 2024, everything revolved around topics such as the gender pay gap, strong women and trade unions. In a relaxed atmosphere, numerous teams tested their knowledge and got talking about fair pay and equality - all in the spirit of Equal Pay Day.
The Aktionsbündnis Frauenarbeit Siegerland and Verstärker Siegen not only provided exciting quiz questions, but also an evening full of exchange, humor and team spirit. Whether die-hard quiz fans or spontaneous participants - everyone contributed to making the motto of the evening tangible: Closing the pay gap together!
On November 2, 2023, the event "Kreuz & quer statt geradeaus" took place in the seminar center of the Unteres Schloss campus to mark Equal Pay Day. Invited by Aktionsbündnis Frauenarbeit Siegerland, women reported on their diverse life paths and career experiences, which were not always straightforward. In an open atmosphere, there were personal and surprising stories, poetry slams, snacks and space for discussion. The evening made it clear that detours can lead to exciting perspectives.
On November 15, 2022, journalist and author Mareice Kaiser read online from her book "Wie viel. What we do with money and what money does to us". The event was organized by the Aktionsbündnis Frauenarbeit Siegerland to mark Equal Pay Day 2022. In her book, Kaiser examines the role that money plays in our lives and how unequal financial circumstances shape society and coexistence.
At the cabaret evening on the occasion of Equal Pay Day on October 23, 2019, the duo "MaDamm" from Cologne provided the best entertainment with depth in the Bismarckhalle in Siegen. Rita Zimmermann and Victoria Wiese skillfully staged social issues with sharp-witted humor, musical skills and pointed scenes. The evening was organized by the Aktionsbündnis Frauenarbeit Siegerland.
The evening event "Do women deserve to earn less? Or: What do our working hours have to do with equality?" took place on 24.10.2018 in the Artur-Woll-Haus in Siegen and was organized by Aktionsbündnis Frauenarbeit Siegerland. After a champagne reception, the participants discussed issues relating to equal pay and reduced working hours in the context of current inequalities between women and men in the labor market. Sociologist Margareta Steinrücke showed in her presentation "Not just money, but also fair distribution of time!" how closely fair pay is linked to a fair distribution of paid work and care work. The event concluded with a cabaret performance by Christa Weigand, alias "Ursel", who took a humorous but critical look at the topics of fair pay and role models.
On October 18, 2017, the Aktionsbündnis Frauenarbeit Siegerland (Siegerland Women's Action Alliance) hosted an event at the Artur-Woll-Haus in Siegen to mark Equal Pay Day. Under the motto "Strong voice - clear stance", guests were treated to a varied program that began with a champagne reception. The focus was on the "Stimmste?!" team's workshop entitled "The supreme discipline of the voice", which provided valuable impulses for a self-confident appearance. Afterwards, there was plenty of opportunity for personal exchange and networking.
