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Chancellor Angela Merkel, the first woman ever to lead Germany, said International Women's Day on Wednesday should serve as a reminder to women not to give up the fight against gender discrimination.
"This is an important day. It reminds us of the things we have already achieved," Merkel told the top-selling tabloid Bild.
"But it also warns us not to give up the fight against discrimination against women still happening in many parts of the world."
Merkel, who became chancellor in November, said so far being a woman has only made the job easier.
"I have not experienced any disadvantages. The advantage is perhaps that people have been very curious about the first female chancellor and this has enabled me to draw their attention to matters I find important."
She added that her male colleagues were surprised by her upfront manner.
"I often have the impression that they had not reckoned with my direct manner of saying things," she said.
The twice-married, childless Merkel said she could say "without reservation" that she liked being a women in Germany, but added that working mothers might have another view.
"A single mother trying to juggle career and family might not as readily say 'yes' to this question, though there are many countries in which women have it tougher than in Germany."
The interview with Bild marked the first time Merkel has spoken directly about the plight of women since she took office.
During her election campaign she came under attack from feminists for not addressing women's issues, while the wife of then chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told the press that Merkel had no understanding of modern women as she had never raised children.
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AFP 081208 GMT 03 06
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