Women in politics

“Women and men have equal rights”: This is stated in the German Constitution. In politics, however, men and women are still not represented equally. The proportion of women in politics in Germany is low: in 2023, there were around 35% female politicians in the German Bundestag, around 34% in the state parliaments and an average of around 30% in local politics. But why is that so? There are many reasons for this, as women face different challenges than men.

Proportion of women in the Bundestag

Following the 2025 federal election, the proportion of women fell again — it is currently only 32.4 percent. Parliament is thus once again well away from the previous high of 37.3 percent in 2017. The proportion of women in the German Bundestag has been at a similar level for 20 years. It fell from its peak of 37.1% in 2013 to 30.7% after the 2017 election.

There are sometimes significant differences in the proportion of women between the parties: The highest is in Alliance 90/The Greens at 61.2 percent, followed by the LEFT with 56.2 percent and the SPD with 41.7 percent. The share is significantly lower among the CSU (25 percent) and the CDU (22.6 percent) — it is lowest at just 11.8 percent for the AfD. With the SPD and Alliance 90/The Greens, two parties have binding intraparty quotas for women. On the other hand, there are CDU/CSU and AfD, which list only a few women (AfD) or nominate women on less promising lists and direct mandates (CDU/CSU).

In addition, it is informative to look at the candidacies and nominations of women's parties ahead of the federal elections. The state lists and direct candidacies show: In parties for which fewer women entered the Bundestag than had been set up, it is clear that women politicians were in less promising places from the start.

• More information on the proportion of women in the Bundestag here: https://www.frauen-macht-politik.de/monitoring-btw21-gewaehlte-frauen/
• Further information on the proportion of women among the candidates is available here: https://www.frauen-macht-politik.de/monitoring-btw21-kandidierende/
• Further information on the candidates for the federal elections in the federal states: https://www.frauen-macht-politik.de/monitoring-btw21-bundeslaender/

Share of women in local politics

The proportion of women in the mayor's office is 13.5 percent nationwide. In municipal representatives, the figure is around 31%. But: Decisions made in local politics have a direct impact on the lives of citizens. Women make up around 50% of the population and should therefore be able to have a say accordingly. Studies and surveys show that older, academically educated and white men in particular make the decisions. However, studies also show why there are fewer women in (local) politics and what needs to change.

• More information on the proportion of women in local politics: https://www.frauen-macht-politik.de/daten-fakten/

Obstacles faced by women in politics

There are still structural and institutional hurdles for women in politics, such as the lack of reconciliation of office, family and work, political culture, voting rights and the selection and nomination processes within the parties.

Traditional role models and gender stereotypes still prevail: As a result, women (must) continue to take care of their families more and thus have less time, but also earn less. Local politics is voluntary work that often takes place in the evenings. Both are difficult to implement when the children have to go to bed or income is scarce. In addition, women trust themselves and other women less — the decision to take on political office is more difficult. There are high expectations of female politicians, which are also based on clichés: They must be friendly, perform well and always “look good” — but not too good, because then they will no longer be taken seriously. These expectations are met by a world that is still heavily male-dominated: The tone is rough, networks, mostly informal, grown for a long time and often “over a beer in the evening.” Women are interrupted more often, criticism is voiced more disrespectfully, and speeches are often not taken as seriously as those made by men. There are also prejudices when it comes to political content: Women are more likely to be assumed that they are interested in topics such as social or family policy and are more likely to be written off of their competence for other policy areas and departments — female politicians have to make more effort overall and “their” issues are often not taken seriously. So women experience sexism in politics and they lack role models, networks and other support systems, such as an open welcoming culture in parties.

Voting rights also have a significant impact on whether and to what extent women are represented in parliaments. In countries with pure proportional representation, the proportion of women is higher than in countries with direct voting or mixed systems, such as in Germany. A parity law in Germany could help ensure that women and men are equally represented in political decision-making processes and political representation.

sexism in politics

Learn women politicians sexism in office; sexual harassment in politics is a widespread phenomenon. Sexism is the disparagement based on gender. Sexual harassment is a particularly degrading form that has a negative effect on those affected. In a study, 40% of the women politicians surveyed stated that they had had experiences with sexual harassment. More women experienced sexual harassment at federal level (55%) than at local level (30%). The politicians report inappropriate and suggestive remarks about appearance, figure and clothing, looks and patterns. Unwanted touches or “turning on” are also common. The attacks usually take place in informal situations; women experience them from party colleagues, but also from politicians from other parties. Younger women and new female party members are particularly at risk.

• More information: Study”Party Cultures and Women's Political Participation”

What can parties do to get more women into politics?

There are many adjustments to increasing the proportion of women in politics. Parties must be able to win over and promote more women and place them on promising lists or in promising constituencies. Mandatory quotas for women in parties at all levels are an effective lever for this endeavour. Parties should think in the long term and systematically in order to win over women. Gender equality plans can also support this and set specific goals. Mentoring programs can support women within the party, as can networks. Women should be more closely involved in men's networks, but should also establish their own networks. Internal party contacts such as ombudsman offices can support those affected by sexist incidents or sexual harassment and provide clarity. Female role models play a major role when it comes to attracting other women to politics.

The culture in the parties must change and become more contemporary: Welcoming women in their diversity, establishing a respectful tone and taking into account different life models.

• More in the study: Women Power Berlin — Political Participation of Women in Berlin. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
• More in the study Party Cultures and Women's Political Participation
• More in the study Into politics with children

Better reconciliation in politics

A necessary step to increase the proportion of women in politics is the better reconciliation of work, office and private life. Whether it's meeting times, digital formats or childcare: Various examples from municipalities show how this can work.

The family-friendly design of local politics plays a role for women and (young) men, as it currently offers little room for flexibility and often discourages people with family obligations from seeking local political office. It is also becoming more difficult for parties to find new party politicians.

Some childcare regulations in municipalities are helpful; buildings must be equipped in a family-friendly way so that children can be brought along, for example in strollers. This is how babysitters are placed with parents in Sehnde (Lower Saxony). Halle an der Saale worked with municipal daycare centers. Streamlining committee and council meetings can also make it easier to attend them, even with family obligations. The opportunities offered by digitization also play an important role. Online — more specifically hybrid Council meetings — have proven effective during the corona pandemic and should continue to be maintained in the future to improve reconciliation. Networks of elected representatives enable the exchange of experience and knowledge, strengthen their members and support influence on politics. In Münster in Hesse (Darmstadt-Dieburg district), the members of the General Parent Advisory Board founded in 2022 have the experience that their opinion is seen and heard. This means that there are opportunities for participation and design at municipal level even without a mandate.

Read more: Into politics with children

A quota for women in politics? The parity law in Germany

In Germany, there is currently no legal rule on parity in politics. In 2019, parity regulations were passed by law in two federal states — Brandenburg and Thuringia. Before the laws could take effect, they were overturned by the respective state constitutional courts.

Cultural and structural change is needed to get more women into politics. Laws make parties accountable. There are various suggestions and models of what a parity law might look like. The SPD politician Thomas Oppermann proposed, for example, three-vote voting rights, in which the constituencies would be halved and filled with a “dual leadership.” Women voters would have three votes: for the party, for a man and for a woman. The Ferner/Laskowski model suggests that direct mandates be allocated equally.

Compared to other European countries, a total of 12 countries have parity laws, including France, Spain and Belgium. They show that quotas work.

Read more: Summary of legal regulations for a parity law in Europe

The Basic Law states: “The state promotes the effective enforcement of equal rights between women and men and works to eliminate existing disadvantages.” Without legal requirements, it will be difficult to achieve this goal.