Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) – The opposition factions of the SPD and the left in the Hessian state parliament want to advance equal rights for women and men with two draft laws. Among other things, they call for a strengthening of the women’s and equal opportunities officer. “Especially in smaller communities, the work is done more or less on a voluntary basis,” explained Christiane Böhm from the left-wing faction in Wiesbaden on Wednesday. “In addition, the mostly male superiors too often intervene in the independence of the officers.” The women’s and equal opportunities commissioners drafted the law themselves.
The SPD also provides better protection for women’s representatives in its draft law. Nadine Gersberg, spokeswoman for women’s politics, said that an office for equal rights and equality issues should be set up inside and outside of the civil service.
“In our draft law, the ban on discrimination and sexual harassment is very clearly defined and compensation obligations and sanctions in the event of discrimination are included.” As Gersberg explained, people who looked after children or cared for relatives should have privileges when it comes to re-employment and the use of mobile work.
Hesse’s state government presented a reform of the Equal Rights Act at the end of 2022. The amendment aims to improve equal opportunities for women and men in public administration. The deputy district chairwoman of the DGB Hessen-Thüringen, Renate Sternatz, called for “a cross-party discussion in order to pass a permanent, sustainable and modern equal rights law for Hesse”.
