Throwback PowHer 2023- winner of the Shimon Peres Prize 2024

The story behind PowHer

What exactly is PowHer?

PowHer began, like all good stories, in 2022 in a small room full of cookies and coffee somewhere east of Tel Aviv. As luck would have it, three young women were also sitting in that room. Perry Zinget, Amal Asadi and Lena Pierskalla were all participants in the Youth Lap organized by ConAct. The aim of these was to bring together young people who have already had exchange experiences with the other country and to express their wishes for the future of German-Israeli youth exchange.

It quickly became apparent that the three had similar ideas for the future. They were missing a meeting of women for women. A protected space in which they could discuss their experiences and opinions without having to justify themselves and without worrying that their realities would be denied. The focus should be on leadership qualities. Women who are active in their communities, who are committed to justice at all levels and who want to share their skills with like-minded people. From the outset, it was clear that such an encounter should be as diverse as possible. The aim was to bring together as many female voices and perspectives as possible.

After long conversations, it emerged that even Perry, Amal and Lena had different perspectives on feminism and the importance of self-determination. These differences led to intense discussions that kept all three of them busy for a long time, even after the meeting. However, they all shared the same goal. To create an encounter in which opinions could be discussed controversially.
The framework conditions for this were quickly clear. One week in Israel and one week in Germany with a total of 15 participants. It was to take place at the beginning of 2023. Now the three women only needed two organizations, one in Israel and one in Germany. After all, such an exchange cannot take place as a private individual.
For Israel, it quickly became clear that the scouts would take on the administrative part. For Germany, the search was much more complicated, so it was not until December 2022 that it was clear that the Ludwig Wolker Association would provide a home for PowHer. Another teamer joined the German side as additional support. Nelly Möller supported Lena with the organization, especially in Germany, and was an important asset to the team.

Now time was running out. Funding applications had to be written, accommodation sought and, of course, participants found. An important aspect of this was diversity. Women from different regions, religions and backgrounds had to be involved. After endless Zoom meetings, phone calls and forms, the time had finally come. In May 2023, 10 participants from Israel boarded a plane to Berlin together with Perry and Amal in Tel Aviv. The return meeting to Israel followed in August 2023.

The journey was long and not easy. PowHer is a project close to our hearts and will continue to develop and change over the next few years. But the basic idea remains: a network of women for women to fight injustice together. In the words of US writer, professor and civil rights activist Maya Angelou: “The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.”

(Text: Lena Pierskalla, Photos: Ludwig Wolker e.V.)

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