Society: Federal and state governments: Strengthen the protection of women against violence

Federal Women’s Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) wants to improve the protection of women against violence with the federal states and municipalities by 2025 at the latest. “The level of violence we have is unbearable,” said Paus after the conference of federal and state ministers for gender equality and women in Potsdam.

The point is that in the end there will be more women’s shelters and more advice centers. A law is planned for this. “Our goal is to jointly complete the law in this legislative period.” More money is needed for that. Paus emphasized that the federal government would “make its contribution” financially. In a resolution, the Equal Opportunities Ministers turned against violence, misogyny and sexism.

According to the Federal Minister for Women, every fourth woman in Germany experiences physical or sexual violence at the hands of her partner or former partner at least once in her life. Statistically, a partner or ex-partner tries to kill his wife every day, every third day he succeeds. Two thirds of the female victims did not go to the police or seek help elsewhere, even after the most severe violence. There are around 400 women’s shelters, around 100 shelters and more than 750 advice centers nationwide.

The right to protection and advice should be secured nationwide

The women’s shelters and counseling centers have so far been the responsibility of the federal states and municipalities, with the federal government getting involved with the legislative plans. The supply and demand are very different, there is no nationwide network. The Federal Ministry for Women is in charge of drafting a law to secure the right to protection and advice nationwide. Paus plans to present a study on the protection of women with an estimate of costs and the number of places for autumn or winter.

The equality ministers unanimously voted in favor of extending the federal funding program “Together against violence against women” to expand a support system that expires in 2024, as Brandenburg’s women’s minister Ursula Nonnemacher (Greens), who hosted the conference, said. Paus said it is examining whether there are investment funds beyond 2024.

The federal states are also calling on the federal government to take the growing threat to women and girls online into account. Baden-Württemberg’s Social Affairs Minister Ute Leidig (Greens) said the perpetrators continued domestic violence on the Internet.

Paus: Discussion about sexism can be new #MeToo debate

Paus considers the current debate about sexism to be crucial in order to take more action against it in society. “It could be that this whole story in Germany develops into a #MeToo moment,” said Paus in Potsdam. “In any case, we should also use every crisis as an opportunity.” Under the keyword #MeToo, sexual assault and abuse of power are discussed.

The minister referred to allegations against the frontman of the rock band Rammstein, Till Lindemann. “The public prosecutor’s office in Berlin has now started investigations,” she said. “Regardless of this case, we are experiencing a very, very intense debate: How do we actually feel about it in society?” She emphasized: “But it’s clear to me: sexism is not ok.”

Paus campaigned to join the “Together Against Sexism” alliance. The Federal Association of the Concert and Event Industry has now also joined the alliance, she said. “So now is a moment to actually commit to it.” The alliance wants to ensure that sexism and sexual harassment are recognized and that effective countermeasures are implemented.