Brigitte Awards honor women fighting sexual and digital violence

The 2026 Brigitte Awards in Berlin honored women for their courage and commitment to addressing social injustices. Key award recipients included Gisèle Pelicot, who dedicated her prize to victims of sexual violence, and moderator Collien Fernandes, recognized for her activism against sexualized digital violence.

The event coincided with the German government's recent cabinet decision to introduce new legislation targeting digital violence, such as sexualized deepfakes and rape videos. Attendees included high-profile figures such as Federal Justice Minister Dr. Stefanie Hubig.

During the ceremony, actress and director Karoline Herfurth spoke about the necessity of protecting the right to live without fear of violence against women and children. She emphasized that society must address these issues, stating, “We need more good men who get loud against other men.”