Women's rights in Erding: Together for equality and against violence!

Women's rights in Erding: Together for equality and against violence!

Women of different ages gathered today in the Brasserie Dostojewskij in Erding to discuss an important topic: equal rights for women in 2025. The reason for the meeting is not only the ongoing discussion about women's rights, but also an intensive examination of the challenges that still exist. Julia Post, spokeswoman for women's policy for the state parliament Green Party, considers the current situation to be alarming. She even reported on an AfD stand that acted against women's rights and made it clear that gender equality is often perceived as a step backwards.

What particularly struck the participants was that many young women were returning to traditional roles. Issues such as the gender pay gap, the lack of daycare places and the fact that 60 percent of women working in Bavaria work part-time are still very important. A gender ban is being discussed in the Bavarian state parliament, but basic women's rights are largely ignored. The sobering reality: Only 25 percent of the representatives in the Bavarian state parliament are female, and in Erding only 9 of 40 city council seats are awarded to women.

The voices of those affected

Helga Stieglmeier, a committed voice for women's rights, emphasizes the need to fight for them and motivate others. Influenced by her experiences in the Erdinger women's shelter, Steffi Irmscher-Grothen reported on the dangers that women without financial resources are exposed to. Every year, around 50,000 women in Bavaria are affected by domestic violence - a number that is alarming and shows an increase in femicides within five years. In Bavaria, women's shelters are often underfunded and there are not enough specialist centers for dealing with perpetrators of domestic violence. The need for more prevention work in this area is urgent.

The establishment of a safe point for girls and women at the Erding Autumn Festival and the expansion of school social work are positive approaches that the women in Erding want to implement. Julia Post is optimistic about the new Violence Assistance Act, which is due to come into force on January 1, 2032 and will make it easier for victims of violence to find access to protection and counseling facilities.

International Women's Day and its meaning

International Women's Day, celebrated each year on March 8, originated in the United States in 1909 and was institutionalized by the United Nations in 1975. Each year the day has a specific theme, and for 2025 it is: “For ALL women and girls: rights, equality and empowerment.” reports the bpb. Despite small progress, the challenges facing women and girls worldwide are extensive: they continue to be more frequently affected by poverty, illness and violence. In Germany, one in three women has been a victim of physical or sexual violence at least once.

The gender pay gap is also a hot topic in Bavaria - in 2023 the earnings gap with men will be 16 percent. Despite legal provisions to promote equality, the Sustainable Development Report 2024 shows that progress is too slow and the overall picture is too uneven. In a survey of 120 countries, 67 lack laws against discrimination against women, while basic rights are not guaranteed in many countries.

The gathering in Erding shows how important it is to have a dialogue about women's rights and to actively fight against ongoing discrimination. When it comes to equality, we all have a long way to go.