Players from the FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin women's team training at the Lichterfelde stadium. (Archive photo)
© dpa
This year's Berlin Frauenpreis (Women's Award) goes to the founders of the women's team at FC Viktoria Berlin.
They are being honored for their outstanding commitment and many years of dedication to equality in German soccer, as announced by the Senate Department for Labor and Social Affairs, which is also responsible for equality issues.
"These six women impressively demonstrate how commitment to equality and sporting success can be combined," said Senator for Labor and Social Affairs Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD). With their courage to break new ground, they have created innovative structures for equal participation in sport. "They strengthen the visibility of female players and inspire the next generation of soccer players as strong role models."
The founders of the women's team are Ariane Hingst, Verena Pausder, Tanja Wielgoß, Felicia Mutterer, Katharina Kurz, and Lisa Währer. In the summer of 2022, they gave the women's team of the traditional club FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin a new professional structure with its own company, according to the Senate Administration. The club is regarded nationwide as a forward-looking model for greater equality in professional sports. FC Viktoria Berlin celebrated its first major sporting success in 2025 with its promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga.
The independent jury is appointed by Senator Kiziltepe. She had 23 nominations for potential award winners. The Women's Prize is endowed with 5,000 euros and a sculpture by stage artist Esther Janshen. It is to be presented on Monday at the Red City Hall. Since 1987, the Berlin Women's Prize has been awarded to women who have shown particular commitment to gender equality.