Saxony is one of the worst performers in Germany when it comes to the representation of women in politics. The proportion of elected women after the 2024 local elections in Saxony averages around 22 percent in municipal and city councils and around 19 percent in district councils, according to a study presented by Equal Opportunities Minister Katja Meier on Monday. Despite a slight improvement after the election (around plus two percentage points), the Free State is far below the national average of around 30 percent.
In the district councils, the proportion is lowest in the Erzgebirgskreis at 9 percent and highest in the district of Meißen at 23 percent. Significantly more women are represented in the city councils of Dresden (34 percent), Leipzig (39 percent) and Chemnitz (31 percent).
Multiple causes
"Our study shows that women weigh up very carefully whether they want to get involved in local politics," said Equal Opportunities Minister Katja Meier according to the press release. She emphasized that they are not lacking in political interest and the will to shape things.
According to the results of the study, the causes are manifold: the increase in anti-democratic and right-wing extremist positions is perceived as threatening, especially in rural areas, women experience sexism and established male networks in municipal parliaments in particular, and they also encounter difficulties in balancing work, family and private life.
From October 2023 to March 2024, 89 female local politicians and women involved in party politics and civil society without a mandate in all districts and independent cities in Saxony were surveyed for the study. The survey was conducted by the independent research and consulting organization European Academy for Women in Politics and Business in Berlin (EAF Berlin).
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