Study: Women's involvement in local politics in Saxony
Study: Women's Engagement in Local Politics in Saxony
The study by EAF Berlin was conducted by Kathrin Mahler Walther, Anna Sive, Lisa Hempe, and Dr. Helga Lukoschat on behalf of the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Gender Equality (SMJusDEG). It examines pathways to entry, motivational and success factors, as well as barriers, hurdles, expectations, and needs regarding the fulfillment of a local political mandate in Saxony.
Whether in the state parliament or local councils, Saxony ranks among the lowest in Germany when it comes to the representation of women in politics. The reasons for the low proportion of women in parliaments are multifaceted: the rise of anti-democratic and right-wing extremist positions is perceived as threatening, particularly in rural areas. In local councils, women frequently encounter sexism and established male networks, while also facing challenging conditions regarding the balance between work, family, and private life.
The study »Women's Engagement in Local Politics in Saxony« by EAF Berlin was conducted by Kathrin Mahler Walther, Anna Sive, Lisa Hempe, and Dr. Helga Lukoschat on behalf of the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Gender Equality (SMJusDEG). It examines pathways to entry, motivational and success factors, as well as barriers, hurdles, expectations, and needs regarding the fulfillment of a local political mandate in Saxony.
Local political engagement is rooted in socialization
Data collection for this qualitative empirical study took place between October 2023 and March 2024. The study surveyed 89 local female politicians as well as women active in political parties and civil society without a mandate across all districts and independent cities in Saxony. The study shows that local political engagement is often rooted in socialization within the family or personal environment. Entry into local politics frequently stems from prior involvement in civil society or educational institutions. Women active in local politics or civil society want to support their home region and make a difference locally. Their motivation is often accompanied by a desire to leave something positive for the next generation, frequently linked to concerns about the region's future.
Urgent need to implement recommendations for action
"Our study shows that women weigh their decision to engage in local politics very carefully. It is not a lack of political interest or desire to shape policy that holds them back, but rather a frequent lack of suitable framework conditions that account for women's needs. Added to this is a current political climate marked by populism and hostility, which is increasingly normalizing sexist abuse and gender role stereotyping. To halt this regression and shape Saxony together into a sustainable and livable place for everyone, we need more women in parliaments. With this study, we have taken a first step. Implementing the recommendations for action formulated within it would be an urgently needed next step."
Hurdles created by structural framework conditions
Due to deeply ingrained societal gender roles and the resulting unequal division of labor, women often have fewer material and time resources available for local political engagement. Furthermore, institutional framework conditions interact directly with the barriers that exist regarding the balance between work, family, and volunteer commitments. These include meeting times that extend late into the evening, time-consuming preparation, a lack of financial compensation for necessary childcare, and, especially in rural areas, long travel times.
Sexism, hostility, and threats
Beyond these structural factors, experiences of devaluation and exclusion, as well as the general social and political climate, pose a problem. Almost all interviewed politicians report experiences with sexism in their local political work. They encounter it in interactions with party colleagues, council members, citizens, and the media. The strengthening of anti-democratic attitudes and the generally polarized social atmosphere also bring the issue of hostility and threats to the forefront. This represents a significant barrier to promoting the representation of women and other marginalized individuals in local politics.
"The escalating political and social climate is perceived as daunting and threatening by many women. At the same time, it often triggers a 'now more than ever' response, serving as a strong motivation to get involved in local politics precisely at this time," says Kathrin Mahler Walther, study director and managing chair of EAF Berlin.
Recommendations for action
The study outlines clear recommendations for action for the incoming state government, municipal associations, local authorities, political parties, and civil society actors. It is crucial to address the diversity of these obstacles and to specifically target and dismantle barriers for women with migration backgrounds or experiences of racism, women with disabilities, queer women, single parents, and women in precarious living conditions, as their representation in local politics is particularly low.
Background of the study
The study was conducted in implementation of the catalog of measures from the expert commission on equal participation of women in elected offices, with the goal of gaining actionable insights into how to increase the proportion of women in local political mandates and offices and improve the overall attractiveness of local political engagement. Following the 2024 local elections in Saxony, the average share of elected women is 22.2 percent in municipal and city councils and 19.2 percent in district councils. This places Saxony among the lowest in Germany.
Download the study
Download the study "Women's involvement in local politics in Saxony" here:
