The introduction of women’s suffrage in Germany 100 years ago was a Signal of new beginnings. However, equal rights do not necessarily refer to the same opportunities. Women must continue to fight, says Anja Brockmann.
Never women in Germany were formed as it is today. In some of the school subjects, the girls have lost young for a long time. Nevertheless, men often get the better Jobs in the economy, in politics. In the German Bundestag, the proportion of women is currently at their lowest for 20 years. The equality “remains a permanent task,” says German Chancellor Angela Merkel – and their own, after all, 13-year-old government of the time involuntarily, a mediocre witness.
Yes, Merkel’s election to Chancellor was an epochal turning point in Germany. Yes, in their direct environment, the Chancellor has promoted women, even to the first Secretary of defense of the Republic. And no, the Butter from the bread has let any man take – no matter whether they are called Gerhard Schröder, Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump.
No word from Angela Merkel
However, the most powerful woman in the world has spoken in the women’s policy rarely is a power word and long, to long, to voluntary commitments instead of binding quotas set in the economic, in the own party. She felt now, even as a male, and now detects, since the CDU lost voters, the fundamental need for action. Finally! Women’s policy as a matter of the heart but it looks different.
DW editor Anja Brockmann
There is still much to do in Germany. The country needs a new tax system. One that is not rewarded, if the wives earn only a little or remain even at home. Eliminates the wage inequality between men and women in Germany is not as high as in hardly any other country in Europe must be finally. And introduced job-sharing models have to be strongly in the top positions, nationwide all-day schools – the list is long.
Women need to interfere
So it goes forward, it needs women interfering in the policy, the join in the model. This is exhausting and goes into the existing structures is not without allies: men, as the husband of the CDU General Secretary Annegret Kramp-karrenbauer. Gave up his job so that his wife could be in her political career. Eyes on the choice of a partner, is a Council, the women heed much to rare.
In the Bundestag election in 2017, more women are left than men at home. Not to choose is, however, no Alternative! Voters need to be aware of their Power and use. You need to show the men of Grisons in the policy of the Red card. You need to reward with your voice men and women who make no Basta-policy, which will take your problems seriously and you want to solve.
Women’s policy is also a matter for men
And men need to finally understand that women’s politics is your thing! It is also worth for you to fight for it. Example, labour market, From 2019, there are in large companies in Germany, the legally guaranteed possibility to work after temporary part-time. This also allows for men flexible working time models – a small Revolution for many families.
For the policy of this Revolution began 100 years ago, with the active and passive voting rights for women. Its message is as relevant today as it was then: A Parliament in which women are under-represented, not the company – and thus loses its legitimacy. This is damaging to the democracy. Especially in times in which many will attack.