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mifem e.V. Migrantische Frauenemanzipation
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mifem e.V. · Kassel

About us

Who we are, where we come from and what we stand for.

Five members of mifem e.V. at the opening event
Who are we?

A place where women come together

Migrantische Frauenemanzipation e.V. (mifem) is a non-profit women's association in Kassel, bringing together women* from a variety of migrant backgrounds. The association promotes gender equality, solidarity and social participation and aims to contribute to education, science and research.

Through workshops, thematic programmes and events, mifem empowers women and other disadvantaged groups, encouraging their participation in social life. The association works against discrimination, racism and sexism and seeks to promote intercultural exchange, democracy and peaceful coexistence.

Founded
1986
Re-established
2026
Based in
Kassel
Legal form
e.V. (eingetragener Verein)
Women of mifem e.V. having breakfast together at a long table
History

A 40-year-old association reborn

"We are continuing the story that began 40 years ago, together with the needs of today and the possibilities of tomorrow."
  1. since 1960the long line

    The story of mifem forms part of the long and continuing history of migration between Turkey and Germany. It has been shaped by the changing living conditions, needs and experiences of women and other vulnerable groups, as well as by their ways of coming together and organising over time.

    Since the labour migration that began in the 1960s, migration from Turkey to Germany has continued to diversify through various phases. Similarly, issues such as language barriers, difficulties accessing education and professional opportunities, and intergenerational conflicts — which are among the most prominent consequences of migration and are evident in daily life — persist. In addition to these difficulties, social isolation and limited participation in public life are significant challenges faced by women and disadvantaged groups.

  2. 1986Founding

    Founded as Türk Kadınlar Birliği e.V.

    HNA article from 1986: Help for life in a foreign culture
    HNA, 1986 – "Help for life in a foreign culture"

    Türk Kadınlar Birliği e.V.

    Established in the 1980s in response to these needs, Türk Kadınlar Birliği e.V. (TKB) – now known as mifem – was founded in Kassel in 1986 and was one of the first migrant women's associations in Germany whose entire executive board consisted of women with a migration background.

    TKB supported women in coming together and building social networks through social and cultural activities, solidarity and the exchange of knowledge. For many years, the association provided a safe space where young women and girls could meet and feel a sense of belonging, like a second home. At the same time, it increased the public visibility of migrant women and encouraged their participation in professional and social life.

  3. 198624–26 Sept.

    Nationwide conference at Schloss Höhnscheid

    "Identity and Role Conflicts of Young Turkish Women – A Balancing Act Between Two Cultures": an event organised by the City of Kassel in cooperation with the Turkish Women's Association.

    Title page of the 1986 conference papers
  4. 1986October

    The counselling centre opens

    Two women at the opening of the counselling centre in 1986

    Alongside its social and cultural activities, TKB also responded to the need for professional support and counselling regarding the challenges faced by migrant women and their families in everyday life. To this end, a counselling centre for Turkish girls, women and families was established within the association in 1986. The counselling centre provided support and counselling on a range of topics, including the education of children and young people, intergenerational conflicts, family matters, cultural differences, separation and divorce, domestic violence, psychological and psychosomatic conditions, and forced marriage. This counselling service continues to operate today under the umbrella of the VIVA Foundation.

  5. 1991

    International Women's Day at the Anna Frank House

    The association has become a fixture of Kassel's civic life. In the same year, the counselling centre turns five.

    A dancing circle at International Women's Day 1991
  6. 1996

    Ten years of the counselling centre

    Celebrated with a wall newspaper showing the whole range of work at a glance: women's meeting point, girls' groups, German courses, sport, photography and sewing courses.

    Speaker at the tenth anniversary of the counselling centre
  7. 2003March

    "Youth Unemployment" project

    Guidance, counselling and support for young migrants in their search for vocational training and employment.

  8. 2010

    Its own rooms in the neighbourhood

    Advice, help and projects find their place in the middle of Kassel – the association invites you in.

    HNA article from 2010: Turkish women invite you in
    HNA, 22 May 2010 – "Turkish women invite you in"
  9. 2012November

    "Linen and Silk" exhibition

    Until March 2013 the exhibition shows traditions of textile processing in Hesse and in the Turkish region of Bursa – with a bilingual catalogue.

    Women in traditional textiles at the exhibition
  10. since 2013new migration

    New migration, a new era

    The dynamics of migration between Turkey and Germany have transformed over time. One aspect of this transformation is the term "new migration", which refers to the new generation of migrants who have arrived in Germany since 2013 due to political pressures in Turkey and various other reasons, primarily economic, educational and professional. One of the defining characteristics of this new migration is the new forms of engagement with society that women with diverse educational, professional and life experiences have developed by coming together.

    Indeed, the interactions between newly arrived women in Kassel, both among themselves and with women from previous generations, and the connections they have forged, have once again highlighted the need for a women's association where experiences can be shared, problems can be discussed, and knowledge and potential can be developed collectively. This quest was the starting point for mifem, as women from the new wave of migration came together with former members and founders of the TKB.

  11. from 2019

    A period of rest

    From 2019 onwards, TKB entered a period of inactivity and temporarily suspended its activities. However, the experience, knowledge and connections that had been built up among women over nearly 40 years provided an important foundation for carrying this legacy into a new phase.

  12. 202420 April

    The first meeting of the old and new generations

    Meeting of the old and new generations, April 2024

    During the restructuring process that began in 2024, the goal emerged of bringing together the experiences and knowledge of previous generations with the diverse experiences, expertise and dynamism of the new generation. While preserving TKB's historical legacy, this convergence emphasised the importance of adapting the association to address today's needs and changing migration experiences.

  13. 202617 April

    A new start as Migrantische Frauenemanzipation e.V.

    A full hall at the opening event in April 2026

    Following a two-year legal and bureaucratic process, the association resumed its activities in January 2026 under the name Migrantische Frauenemanzipation e.V. (mifem). As in the past, mifem continues to provide a space where women can come together, build solidarity and exchange knowledge. At the same time, its work is no longer limited to women of Turkish background. Open to women with diverse migration backgrounds and disadvantaged groups, mifem works from an intercultural and intersectional perspective.

    Members of mifem e.V. on Treppenstraße in Kassel
    The association today – on Treppenstraße in Kassel

View the whole archive 1986–2013

Our goals

What we stand for

mifem aims to ensure that women and other groups who are disadvantaged for various reasons have equal rights, participate in social life and have a voice in their own lives. To this end, the association pursues the following goals in particular:

  1. Promote gender equality and strengthen the equal and active participation of women and vulnerable groups in social life.
  2. Strengthen the rights and social participation of migrant women and women with migration backgrounds, children, young people, older adults and vulnerable groups; in particular, develop activities for groups affected by discrimination or disadvantage.
  3. Support science and research and contribute to scientific projects, research initiatives and educational initiatives in cooperation with scientific institutions and organisations.
  4. Support education and professional development and contribute, in particular, to strengthening opportunities in the areas of education, vocational training and student support.
  5. Strengthen intercultural and intergenerational development and exchange and contribute to mutual understanding and interaction between different generations and cultures through education, health, culture and sports.
  6. Work against discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, intolerance and exploitation and contribute to strengthening democracy, equality, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and freedom of expression.
  7. Promote support for individuals who are persecuted for political, racial, class-based or religious reasons. We also promote support for refugees and for people who experience discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
How we work

Who we work with, in which areas and how?

mifem works with women as well as children, young people, older people and vulnerable groups, particularly with individuals and groups who experience discrimination or disadvantage due to their migration background or sexual identity. The association also cooperates with scientific institutions, other civil society organisations and local actors.

mifem pursues its goals through projects, workshops, events, thematic programmes, partnerships, voluntary engagement and solidarity. Our work focuses primarily on the following areas.

Empowerment and social participation

Activities that support women, children, young people, older people and vulnerable groups in expressing themselves, developing their abilities and playing an active role in social life.

Supporting science and research

Contributing to research projects, academic work and educational initiatives in cooperation with scientific institutions and organisations.

Education and professional development

Supporting initiatives in the areas of education, vocational training and student support.

Intercultural and intergenerational exchange

Strengthening interaction and peaceful coexistence between different cultures and generations through educational, health, cultural, artistic and sporting activities.

Equality and combating discrimination

Working against racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, intolerance and other forms of discrimination, as well as carrying out activities that promote democracy, equality, tolerance and freedom of expression.

Sharing knowledge and experience

Sharing the knowledge gained and experiences gathered through the association's activities with the wider public through events, workshops and exhibitions.

Executive board

Who carries the association

The new executive board of mifem, elected in 2024, brings together a diverse range of migration backgrounds and academic and practical expertise in the social field. The board members contribute their experience in areas such as gender equality, migration, politics, education and social affairs to further develop the work of mifem.

MK
Dr. Melehat KutunChair Political and social scientist; her research focuses on authoritarianism, neoliberalism, the politicisation of the right, forced migration, exile, gender and women's studies.
EK
Eda KaraDeputy chair NGO worker and project coordinator; she is responsible for coordinating and implementing projects at a civil society organisation active in the fields of political education, democracy and social participation.
EV
Emine Vural General director of an educational institution; she serves as general director of a non-profit organisation working in the fields of migration, education and social participation.
AT
Aylin Türer Doctoral researcher in political science; her research focuses on migration, care work, social reproduction, trade unions and gender equality.
ŞE
Şengül Eser Public sector employee; with many years of experience in public service, she continues to work in social and community affairs.
AB
Anelia BruneProject assistant Student in social work; supports mifem's work as a project assistant, with a particular focus on social participation, equal opportunities and the empowerment of migrant women.
Statutes

Our statutes to read

The full statutes of the association in the version submitted to the tax office.

Download the statutes (PDF)