Why did Hitler and the Nazis give women medals?

Hitler and the Nazis awarded medals to women as part of their broader ideology that emphasized traditional gender roles and the importance of motherhood. The "Mother's Cross" (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter) was a notable example, given to women who had multiple children to encourage higher birth rates in line with Nazi racial policies. This recognition aimed to promote the ideal of women as bearers of the Aryan race, reinforcing the regime's focus on family and nationalism. Ultimately, these awards were used to manipulate and control women's roles within society.