The logo of the Equal Opportunities Office at TU Dortmund University
Lettering: Up to Date, queer and feminist calendar of the Equal Opportunities Office of TU Dortmund University © Borgschulze​/​TU Dortmund
September 15

International Day of Democracy

The International Day of Democracy was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.

The day of action serves to promote and defend the principles of democracy and should lead to a sharper focus on current challenges and attacks on existing democracies (UN 2007).

The United Nations defines the essential principles of democracy as freedom, respect for human rights and the principle of holding regular and free elections on the basis of universal suffrage. "The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government" (UN 2021). Based on this principle, democratic governments create an environment for the protection and effective enforcement of human rights (ibid.).

The non-profit organization Freedom House awards points in a ranking according to the political influence and rights of citizens, as well as civil rights and individual freedoms in 195 countries assessed. With 95 out of 100 points, Germany ranks 21st among the "freest countries" in 2025 (Freedom House 2025).

In a 2021 report on the current situation, Freedom House stated that the COVID-19 pandemic posed a challenge for democracies worldwide (Repucci & Slipowitz 2021). In the course of the pandemic, it was observed that inhuman ideologies, conspiracy myths and anti-democratic ideas also gained increasing attention in Germany (Blum & Rahner 2020). The growing popularity of right-wing populist movements and parties has also led to political tensions in recent years, and not only in Germany.

Anti-democratic forces are also discrediting feminist politics. In a first brief study on anti-feminism in Germany in times of the pandemic, Rebekka Blum and Judith Rahner state that

Antifeminism has always emerged in times of change and crisis, especially when social routines and certainties are called into question. In the course of these changes, some actors increasingly cling to supposed social "truths" such as the gender binary. (Blum & Rahner 2020)

Anti-feminism is anti-democratic and a threat to democracy. In an essay for the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, Judith Rahner writes that anti-feminist attacks on the achievements of women's movements, such as anti-discrimination and equality policies, should be seen as attacks against democracy (2021). Political scientist Barbara Unmüßig, Director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, also points out that democratic rights must be defended and fought for time and again and states in this context: "Democracy needs feminism" (Unmüßig 2018).

Today is a reason for Germany to celebrate: according to rankings, it is one of the most democratic countries in the world and German citizens enjoy many freedoms. At the same time, however, today is also a reminder that democratic action by all citizens is essential to protect these freedoms.

 

Last updated: September 2025

Sources (in German)

Back to the calendar overview