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Ludwigsburg – Conference on Equal Opportunities and Women’s Ministers (GFMK) calls for a rapid review of legal requirements for abortion, especially in the so-called early phase. The women’s ministers demand that the Bundestag and the federal government present a catalog of regulations and proposals for a time limit solution for the first twelve weeks outside criminal law.
Instead of the current mandatory counseling, voluntary and free counseling is needed, the demand continues. The possibility of carrying a pregnancy to term or terminating it independently is a basic requirement for a woman’s reproductive self-determination, writes the 34th GFMK in a resolution approved by a majority. This highly personal decision primarily affects the core area of personal freedom and self-determination as well as the woman’s personal development.
Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus (Greens) welcomed the initiative of the federal states and explained: “With the proposed resolution on abortion, equal opportunities ministers expressed that they support women’s right to self-determination and consider decriminalization be late in the first three months.” Furthermore, the recommendations of the Commission on Reproductive Self-Determination and Reproductive Medicine strongly suggested that the criminal illegality of abortion in the first three months should be abolished. “We will agree on how to proceed in the federal government”, announced Paus.
GFMK has also spoken out in favor of expanding psychosocial counseling for queer people. GFMK explained that they need a good range of psychosocial counseling close to home if they are faced with exclusion and discrimination. Currently, counseling services for queer people vary greatly depending on the federal state. “We asked the federal government to create a national overview of counseling offers and needs,” said GFMK President and State Secretary at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Social Affairs Ute Leidig (Greens). “Based on this, uniform training courses for consultancy specialists could be implemented, for example.”
Long-term study on hormone therapy during menopause needed
The conference was also organized by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) asked to commission a long-term clinical study of current guideline-based hormone therapies during menopause. The knowledge of medical professionals and affected women about the physiological changes caused by menopause must be expanded to ensure health promotion. States are also calling for a national campaign to educate employers and the public about menopause.
The topic of endometriosis should also be removed from taboos. Menstrual pain in general and endometriosis in particular are still a marginal issue that receives very little attention in society, writes GFMK in a resolution. “In Germany, it is estimated that between 10% and 15% of all girls and women suffer from endometriosis between the start of menstruation and the start of menopause.”
Due to intense chronic pain and a wide range of associated symptoms, the disease can seriously affect the quality of life and performance of girls and women. Endometriosis also has considerable economic significance, for example due to disease-related downtime, medical expenses, high risk of unwanted childlessness and risk of poverty.
An interdepartmental “National Endometriosis Strategy” is needed, under the leadership of BMG and involving relevant medical and scientific societies, as well as associations of affected people. The model here is France or Australia. The aim is, among other things, to promote extensive research into endometriosis, increase education and improve care. The GFMK also requests the Conference of Ministers of Health (GMK) to address this topic. The GMK also met this week in Lübeck-Travemünde.
Education about female genital mutilation
Countries also highlighted the need for greater awareness and information on the issue of female genital mutilation. “Girls and women must also be protected from female genital mutilation in Germany,” said Leidig. “In several federal states there are already central contact points or coordination centers that offer assistance, information and training opportunities on the topic of female genital mutilation.”
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But what is needed is a prevention program controlled by the federal government and a general coordination of awareness programs that offer support to these agencies, Leidig explained. Germany would also fulfill the request of the Committee of Experts for the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention to expand policy measures against female genital mutilation.
Furthermore, shelters and counseling centers for women need to be strengthened, which is another requirement of GFMK. In the coalition agreement, the federal government confirmed its intention to guarantee funding for women’s shelters and counseling centers. “The states continue to welcome this project. By creating a binding legal framework, Germany would fulfill its responsibility to protect women and combat domestic and gender-based violence,” explained Leidig.
The legal right to protection in the event of domestic violence and reliable funding of the assistance system are long overdue. The states appealed to the Federal Ministry of Family, Elderly, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) to determine the type and amount of the federal government’s binding cost contribution and quickly present a bill. Furthermore, the aid system must receive greater support with regards to cyberstalking and digitalized violence. GFMK therefore calls for the themes to be included in the federal action plan for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention and to be supported with appropriate funds
There is also a need for clear and binding standards for the development of gender-equitable and non-discriminatory systems based on artificial intelligence (AI). Another demand from the conference was that the federal government establish appropriate standards. “We must use the potential of AI in equality policy and use AI to promote gender equality. Feminist research and development initiatives in the field of AI should be more strongly supported by the federal government,” said GFMK President Leidig. © cmk/aerzteblatt.de