Helke Sander portrays Irene, a single mother and worker in a washing machine factory. In everyday life, she doesn't put up with anything, neither the unequal treatment at work nor the sexual harassment by men. But one thing is clear: without solidarity among her fellow women, she will not stand a chance.

How can a woman love a man without denying herself? Can two women love the same man without tearing each other apart? Can a man love two women without lying? What dilemmas will families and friends of the parties involved have to endure? To this day these are recurring and often painfull questions.