Equal Rights for Women in Post-War Germany

Breaking News Update: Marriage Law Reform

Summary:

In a groundbreaking move towards gender equality, the German parliament has passed the "Gleichberechtigungsgesetz" (Equal Rights Act), which will take effect on July 1958.

The new law grants women the same rights as men in marriage, including the right to own property independently and manage their own finances. Prior to this, marriage in Germany was governed by the patriarchal "Gütertrennung" (Property Separation) principle, which left women financially dependent on their husbands.

The Equal Rights Act is considered a major milestone in the fight for women's rights in Germany. It aligns the country's laws with the constitutional principle of gender equality enshrined in the post-war constitution.