On May 10, 2025, we will present our demands for a fair and sustainable society. Our vision is clear: mothers must finally take center stage in social decision-making. Based on extensive analyses, field reports and scientific findings, we are raising key demands that will strengthen mothers in our society.
1. unrestricted equality and equal rights and the consistent inclusion of mothers in all socially relevant decisions
Mothers and other people responsible for care must be involved in all socially relevant decisions - at all levels and in all areas.
To this end, structural barriers that impede or prevent their participation and co-determination in political offices and committees must be systematically dismantled.
A basic prerequisite for success is the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
We demand:
- the development of a national, cross-departmental action plan with clear goals, indicators and measurable benchmarks for equal opportunities for mothers in all areas of life.
- a parity law for the equal representation of women in political bodies,
- Promotion of family-friendly models of political work, e.g. with regard to meeting times and formats, substitution arrangements or compensation for voluntary work,
- a binding gender impact assessment for all proposed legislation in order to identify gender-specific effects at an early stage and take targeted countermeasures,
- the mandatory introduction of gender budgeting in order to systematically make financial decisions gender-equitable and create non-discriminatory living spaces,
- flexible working time models and company childcare as a new standard for a better work-life balance,
- concrete measures and transparent pay structures to close the gender pay gap,
- the consistent promotion of women in management positions - also as a signal for the appreciation of care work in a professional context.
2. promote, make visible and use the diversity of mothers
Equal participation and social recognition must not depend on gender, origin, income, education, disability or age.
The realities of mothers' lives are diverse - just like their needs. This diversity must be made visible, recognized and actively included in all measures.
We demand:
- consistent implementation of and compliance with the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG),
- effective protection against discrimination and violence in all areas of society,
- targeted consideration of the special challenges faced by caregivers with a history of migration or flight, BIPoC, LGBTQIA+ people and other groups suffering multiple discrimination,
- the expansion of low-threshold services that break down linguistic, cultural and structural barriers,
- Educational institutions that react sensitively to the diversity of family constellations and convey care work as an economically relevant activity that is not specifically performed by women.
3. fair distribution and recognition of unpaid care work
Unpaid care work is a cornerstone of our society - it deserves recognition, better framework conditions and a fair distribution between the sexes.
We demand:
- the targeted dismantling of patriarchal structures and ways of thinking,
- promoting family models based on partnership through incentives such as a parental allowance model with extended, non-transferable partner months,
- Measures to improve the compatibility of work, family and care - including the expansion of flexible working time models and needs-based support services,
- financial security for care workers to prevent poverty in old age - especially for mothers,
- the abolition of the splitting of income between spouses, which cements traditional role models and puts women at an economic disadvantage,
- a nationwide, free expansion of high-quality and flexible childcare and education services,
4. a non-discriminatory and gender-sensitive healthcare system
A fair healthcare system must take account of needs from pregnancy onwards and recognize, prevent and specifically compensate for the burdens of care work.
We demand:
- a preventive and gender-sensitive approach to healthcare,
- better care around the birth,
- easily accessible, non-discriminatory health and support services
- the expansion of violence and trauma-sensitive services for mothers,
- Targeted relief systems for care workers,
- Comprehensive mother-child services in inpatient medical facilities,
- strengthening advisory services that promote patients' rights and provide guidance,
- the introduction of a national health goal "maternal health" in order to identify and systematically record needs and requirements and improve care services.
5. protection from violence and discrimination
Violence against women and mothers is not a private matter - it must be openly addressed by society and consistently combated and structurally prevented.
We demand:
- comprehensive prevention, safe havens and well-equipped advice centers,
- consistent prosecution of gender-specific violence,
- Protection concepts that also include psychological violence and economic dependency,
- better access to psychological and legal support for affected women,
- violence-prevention awareness-raising concepts and educational work to break cycles of violence,
6. strengthening feminist civil society
Feminist organizations and networks are indispensable for a democratic, just society - their work must be secured for the long term.
We demand:
- sustainable support for initiatives that promote women's and mothers' rights,
- the legal anchoring of a democracy promotion law that strengthens civil society engagement and resolutely counters anti-feminist attacks.
A just society includes the recognition and appreciation of care work and caregiving. The structural and institutional strengthening of mothers and other people responsible for care is absolutely essential.
These demands are therefore not a luxury, but necessary steps and the basic prerequisite for a fairer, sustainable society in which mothers and carers no longer remain invisible.
Our demands are the basic framework for improving the living and health conditions of care workers. They do not claim to be exhaustive. An intersectional and interdisciplinary approach must be pursued.
On May 10, 2025, we will send a strong signal for a fair future!