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1. Introduction
Gabriele Winker is a Professor in the Department of Work-Gender-Technology at the Hamburg University of Technology in Germany. In her work, she always attempts to combine theoretical analysis and scientific finding with political action. She is one of the main initiators of the ‘Care Revolution’ movement. This political engagement is basing on her analysis of the crisis of social reproduction in the context of austerity politics. Care Revolution includes a profound critique of capitalism and combines this with the vision of a solidary society. It is dedicated to social movements, NGOs, trade unions, etc., as well as to all care givers and receivers as a political transformation strategy of the care sector and, at the end, of the society. It tries to bring together a wide range of political and scientific perspectives to initiate collaboration between different groups and individuals. As Care Revolution concerns questions of economy, justice and democracy as discussed in this special issue of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, we have invited Gabriele Winker to give an interview about her initiative, the background, the idea, the practice and the perspective.
2. Interview with Gabriele Winker
Brigitte Aulenbacher and Birgit Riegraf: Among the protest movements on the theme of care and care work that have emerged in Germany in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and prompted by the country’s austerity policies, the Care Revolution network is the activist alliance that has attracted the most attention. You are acknowledged as the initiator of the Care Revolution concept and have written a book with the same title[1]. What made you take the initiative, and what are your aims in doing so?
Gabriele Winker: The starting point was the fact that the social framework conditions for care workers in neoliberal capitalism are completely inadequate, yet care work is barely talked about in the political sphere. There are many people who are no longer sure how to master the demands of their professional and family lives without having a breakdown themselves. Their jobs have grown more demanding to the point that they are working at the limit of their capacities. At the same time, they are urged to maintain their employability, for example, by taking care of their continuing education and physical...