For the Heinrich Böll Foundation, gender democracy means that patriarchal structures and power relations in private and public spheres are overcome; that social positions (work, income, power etc.) are conveyed by ability and not by virtue of gender; that a diversity of models and concepts of life are recognized as equally valuable and legitimate; and that a variety of gender identities and orientations are recognized, legally and by the society.

Thus, gender democracy is not only merely about "women's rights" or the empowerment of women in society, but encompasses a much wider vision of equality between the sexes, in areas both public and private.

The Gender Forum is one of the longest discussion forums in existence in Ethiopia. Established in 2000 and since 2006 organized directly by the country office of the Foundation, the Gender Forum connects the international discussion on gender issues with the situation in Ethiopia. The Gender Forum initiated inter alia debates on violence against women, the public image of women in the patriarchic society of Ethiopia, Gender and religion or Gender and leadership. We also support studies on gender relations, conferences and since 2008 the Addis International Film Festival on Human Rights.