Engagement und Verantwortung

In everyday university life, gender is produced and reproduced through individual behavior, language and social interactions. To question and break up gender specific norms and outdated role models, gender competence is needed from everyone involved, including students.

Students have a significant influence on the climate at universities and shape the dynamics within courses. Their behavior, expectations and feedback can contribute to an inclusive and appreciative learning environment. Students can actively participate in discussions about gender sensitivity, gender equitable learning settings and the overall learning atmosphere. This promotes exchange on a gender sensitive teaching and learning culture.

Gender competence is not only important for a tolerant coexistence in everyday university life but also represents a key skill that students carry into their professional careers. Many organizations with a progressive and open minded culture now expect basic gender competence in the workplace.

Gender sensitivity among students involves conscious and reflective behavior in courses, characterized by inclusive and respectful communication. Treating others with respect in everyday university life helps create an open and discrimination free learning environment. Soft skills also play a central role, particularly in group work processes where inclusion and equal participation for all should be promoted.

Gender sensitivity is not limited to academic contexts but also shapes personal interactions with diversity in everyday life. By learning to actively listen, develop empathy and adopt new perspectives, students broaden their own horizons and foster respectful collaboration.

Engaging with gender and diversity topics also prepares students for their future careers, where intercultural and diverse teams are increasingly important. A trained approach to diversity can strengthen teamwork skills and positively impact career development opportunities.

Furthermore, gender sensitivity allows students to experience self efficacy and take a more active role in university political processes through empowerment. Diversity should therefore be understood not just as a challenge but above all as an enrichment for everyone.

Gender competence is important for students entering the workforce for several reasons, as it represents a key skill not only in academic settings but also increasingly in professional environments.

The benefits are diverse and significant. Here you can explore what this means for you:

1. Diversity and Inclusion in Modern Workplaces

• Many companies and organizations today place great value on diversity and inclusion. Gender competence enables newcomers to navigate heterogeneous teams and interact respectfully with different gender identities, backgrounds, and perspectives.
  Research and practice have shown that an inclusive work environment fosters innovation, creativity, and productivity.

2. Communication and Teamwork

• Gender competence strengthens the ability to communicate sensitively and reflectively. This is especially important in teams where different gender roles and expectations intersect.
  Professionals who can recognize and question gender stereotypes contribute significantly to a respectful and low-conflict work environment.

3. Employer Expectations

• Many companies, particularly those with progressive cultures, expect employees to have a basic understanding of gender issues. Gender competence is increasingly seen as part of social and personal skills.
  Organizations value employees who engage with topics such as equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, and diversity.

4. Dealing with Power Structures and Hierarchies

• Dealing with Power Structures and HierarchiesGender-specific power structures and hierarchies are still often present in professional life. Gender competence helps newcomers recognize these structures, critically question them, and navigate them confidently.
  It also empowers individuals to identify and actively counteract discrimination and disadvantage—for themselves and others. >< Ally-Link

5. Customer Orientation

• In many industries, understanding the needs and perspectives of different genders is essential for offering targeted products, services, or solutions.Gender competence allows professionals to respond sensitively to business requirements, creating a competitive advantage.

6. Career Development

• Gender competence helps newcomers identify and overcome gender-specific barriers in their careers. It encourages reflection on personal role models and behavioral patterns that may influence professional growth.
  It also supports the development of a confident and authentic professional identity free from stereotypical expectations.

7. Social Responsibility

• Companies are increasingly taking social responsibility and promoting equality and diversity. Professionals with gender competence can actively contribute to these processes and help positively shape organizational culture.
  Gender competence is not only a crucial element for fair and respectful interactions in the workplace but also a key skill that enhances career prospects and personal growth. It enables professionals to succeed in an increasingly diverse and complex work environment while assuming social responsibility. And last but not least—gender competence supports personal development!

Source:
Kirschenbauer, Sabine und DeepSeek 2025: Die Bedeutung von Genderkompetenz für den Berufseinstieg von Studierenden. DeepSeek Version 14.2.2025. https://www.deepseek.com/ München.

Students take on various roles that are essential for a gender sensitive university culture:

Role Model and Multiplier
Students not only represent their peer group but can also serve as role models for others. This is especially true for those who lead tutorials and thus occupy a position similar to instructors. Such a role comes with increased responsibility and requires a high degree of gender sensitivity to promote equal opportunities beyond the classroom.

Agenda Setting
Students can actively initiate discussions and advance engagement with topics related to gender and diversity. Their willingness to participate in discussions lays the foundation for open dialogue and enriches academic discourse with diverse perspectives. In this way, they make a significant contribution to a lively and inclusive debate culture at the university.

Dual Role
Students have the opportunity to both reflect on their own role and critically assess teaching. This dual role gives their engagement with equality issues particular weight. It demonstrates how important student awareness of lived gender sensitivity is in everyday university life.

Students have various ways to actively promote equality and inclusion at university. Here are some approaches you can start with right away:

1. Develop Gender Competence and Raise Awareness
Engaging deeply with topics related to gender and diversity helps identify and understand structural inequalities. Just because we do not personally experience disadvantage does not mean it does not exist. Maintaining an open perspective on existing challenges is essential.

2. Reflect on Your Own Privileges and Act in Solidarity
Becoming aware of individual biases and resources helps recognize inequalities and everyday discrimination. Students can show solidarity by supporting marginalized individuals and promoting a respectful and inclusive environment.

3. Identify Problems and Provide Constructive Feedback
Through critical but solution oriented feedback on the behavior of instructors and fellow students, students contribute to positive changes in everyday university life.

4. Use Practical Resources
The toolbox for students in the Gil&Toni Super Supermarket offers hands on inspiration for fostering gender sensitive collaboration.

5. Join Student Councils and Get Involved in University Politics
Students can actively support equality initiatives at their university for example by advocating for a gender and diversity sensitive culture within their student councils.

6. Create Working Groups or University Initiatives
Starting your own projects and initiatives can create lasting change while providing valuable experience for your future career.

Self Reflection
– Do I treat my fellow students with respect and appreciation?
– Do I consider the needs of others and pay attention to inclusive interaction?
– Do I provide constructive feedback when I see room for improvement?
– Do I discuss gender related barriers or discrimination in everyday university life with others?

Reflection on Teaching
– To what extent is gender diversity visible in my courses?
– Do I feel respected and appreciated in my courses?
– Do I have the opportunity to reach my full potential in teaching?
– Do I pay attention to who speaks, how often, and whether there are gender related differences in speaking time?

If you experience discrimination yourself or want to support others affected, here is an overview of helpful contact points and information pages you can reach out to:

Contact Points and Addresses at the University of Munich:

• HM Services Against Discrimination – News – University of Munich (overview for reference)
• Anti Discrimination Policy (legal framework)
• First Contact Point for Anti Discrimination – University of Munich (list of contacts)

“The first contact point for anti discrimination at the University of Munich provides support and advice for people who have experienced discrimination or sexual harassment. It works confidentially in the interest of the affected person and advocates on their behalf.”

“The first contact point for anti discrimination also works closely with the female representatives in the respective faculties, the university female officers, equality officers, representatives for students with disabilities, and representatives for students with chronic illnesses.”

Contact for complaints under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) at HM: beschwerdestelle@hm.edu

“The complaints office handles complaints regarding discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, conducts a formal complaint procedure, and examines the case. The office is responsible for clarifying the facts promptly. Its main goal is to investigate the matter neutrally.