Association launches mentoring program for female mayors in Saxony

In Saxony, the "Women on the podium" association is launching a program to bring more women into the office of mayor. Women who want to discover the profession of mayor for themselves or who already have concrete plans for a candidacy can apply for the mentoring program as part of the model project "Bürgermeisterin im Fokus", as announced by the Ministry of Equal Opportunities on Tuesday.

"The proportion of women in parliaments - whether municipal or at state level - is far too low," said Equal Opportunities Minister Katja Meier (Greens). "Without women in political office, their concerns are also neglected or not even seen at all." This is a great loss for democracy.

According to the report, only 11 percent of mayoral offices in Saxony are held by women, and the program aims to increase this proportion. It is designed to run for one year and includes taster days and reflection sessions with female and male mayors.

The kick-off event will take place on June 15 in Chemnitz. This Wednesday, interested women can find out more about the program and talk to mayors at introductory sessions in Görlitz and Leipzig. A further introductory session will take place online on May 22.