About Us
SOLWODI stands up for the rights of foreign women in Germany who have experienced hardship and violence, be they victims of human trafficking, sexual exploitation and prostitution, forced marriage or other violence. The affected women are accompanied by experienced social workers. We offer psychosocial care, organize medical or legal support, help in finding housing and jobs, or arrange German language courses and vocational training. The care is always tailored to the specific needs and individual situation of the respective woman and her children.
SOLWODI means SOLidarity with WOmen in DIstress. The association is recognized as a non-profit organization in Germany and works independently and interdenominationally. Nationwide, SOLWODI is represented with 19 specialized counseling centers and seven shelters for women and children in need. Here you can learn more about the work of our specialized counseling centers.
The Emergence of SOLWODI in Kenya
Sr. Dr. Lea Ackermann was working as a teacher in Mombasa at the beginning of the 1980s and came into contact with Kenyan women who had to work in prostitution out of poverty. This terrible situation prompted her to found the SOLWODI association in Kenya in 1985, which still offers exit assistance and counseling today. In addition, SOLWODI supports women and girls in Kenya with educational projects and job training.
The Emergence of SOLWODI in Germany
After her return, Lea Ackermann became aware of the problems of foreign women in Germany and founded the non-profit organization SOLWODI in Germany in 1987. In addition to the umbrella organization SOLWODI Deutschland e.V., there are now SOLWODI regional associations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Berlin.
Since July 1, 2020, SOLWODI Deutschland e.V. has been led by a three-member board - Dr. Maria Decker, Gudrun Angelis and Barbara Wellner. Sr. Dr. Lea Ackermann continues to accompany and support the work of SOLWODI and is mainly active in public relations.
=> Here you can support SOLWODI
For further information please contact our head office in Boppard, Tel. (06741) 2232, or our specialized counseling centers.
We thank you for any support of our work.
Sr. Dr. Lea Ackermann Dr. Maria Decker
Founder SOLWODI 1st Chairwoman SOLWODI Germany e.V.
