Studies and analyses on gender and diversity in politics

Our services at a glance

Methodological expertise: Using various empirical research methods, such as qualitative interviews, focus groups, and standardized quantitative surveys, we work at various political levels to create a solid knowledge base regarding the status quo of gender and diversity in politics.

Thematic expertise: We are experts in researching topics such as the representation of women in politics, party cultures, diversity in political parties, and work-life balance in office. We survey active and former officeholders and mandate holders, political decision-makers, representatives of the administration, and civil society actors about their specific topics and challenges. Through our numerous projects in the political sphere, we have gained extensive experience and built a comprehensive knowledge base.

Analytical expertise: In addition to methodologically sound data collection, we place the gathered data into its specific context. We combine primary data with secondary data from other studies and further research, as well as our many years of experience in cross-party promotion of women's political participation in local politics in all its diversity. These findings form a reliable basis for evidence-based decision-making.

Consulting and strategy development: Based on this, we develop specific recommendations for tailored strategies and measures for municipalities, political parties, or equal opportunity officers. We support you throughout the entire process—from defining the survey objectives to developing recommendations—and are available to provide expert advice.

Our key focus areas include:

• Attracting more women to politics
• Promoting diversity in politics
• Combating sexism
• Family-friendly and modern framework conditions in (local) politics to make political engagement more attractive
• Party, discussion, and meeting cultures
• Party nomination practices
• Mentoring programs and other best practices from municipalities

Selected projects and studies

• Women's involvement in local politics in Saxony (2023/2024). Publisher & Commissioner: Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Gender Equality
  Target group: Politically and civically active women from all Saxon districts and independent cities
  Commission/Research question: Individual interviews and focus group discussions on women's involvement in politics. What factors prevent women from taking on local political office, what are their expectations of such a mandate, and how can the framework conditions for local female politicians and those aspiring to become one be designed differently and better?
• Women into politics! Survey on the situation in local politics in five cities in the East Westphalia-Lippe and South Westphalia regions, Commissioner: City of Detmold (2023)
  Target group: active and former city councilors, mayors
  Commission/Research question: Situation and needs analysis regarding local politics in five cities in the East and South Westphalia region
• Party cultures and women's political participation, EAF Berlin in cooperation with the IfD Allensbach (2021)
  Target group: > 800 office holders or elected representatives from the federal, state, and local levels of the six parties represented in the Bundestag
  Commission/Research question: Survey on experiences and assessments regarding party cultures and women's political participation
• Women Power Berlin: Women's political participation in Berlin, Commissioner: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (2023)
  Target group: Berlin House of Representatives
  Project/Objective: Data collection and analysis of the proportion of women among candidates and elected officials from the six major parties for the 2023 Berlin House of Representatives (repeat) election, changes compared to the previous election, and reasons for underrepresentation

Further information

• Back to the overview of our studies
• Our services in the field of Democracy & Local Politics
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