Family minister speaks as women-prone violence peaks at 400 daily in Germany

Admin I Monday, November 25, 2024

 

BERLIN – Germany has a problem with violence against women, according to Family Minister Lisa Paus based on recent statistics that at least 400 women are victims of domestic violence everyday.

“Almost every day there is a femicide,” the Green Party politician told dpa in an interview for Monday’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which raises awareness of the problem.

“Every day, around 400 women become victims of domestic violence,” she added. Demonstrations and events are planned in several cities to promote an end to violence against women.

“A turnaround is needed, along with a strong Violence Assistance Act to enshrine the right to protection and advice for all those affected by gender-based and domestic violence,” Paus demanded. She said she continues to advocate for cross-party support for the legislation, which Paus developed in close coordination with other ministries, state governments and associations.

To pass it through the Bundestag or lower house of the German parliament, broad support from the conservative opposition is needed. The centre-left coalition of the Social Democrats, Greens, and the Free Democrats collapsed just over two weeks ago.

“The protection of women must not depend on party political calculations,” said Paus. “To women who experience violence and fear for their lives, it is completely irrelevant who governs.”

Recent rise in violence against women

Recently, Paus, together with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and the Federal Criminal Police Office, presented figures showing that more and more women in Germany are affected by violence. Particularly serious are attempted and completed homicides explicitly targeting the female gender – so-called femicides.

In 2023, 938 girls and women were victims of attempted or completed femicides, in which 360 women and girls died.