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Safety for women: Open letter demands action from Merz!
The article highlights the current debate about the safety of women on the way home at night in Germany, initiated by Chancellor Merz. 60 prominent women are calling for improvements in the security infrastructure and a serious discussion of the issue.
Safety for women: Open letter demands action from Merz!
In recent weeks, the issue of women's safety on the way home at night has come into the public eye. The reason for the controversial debate is an open letter from 60 prominent women addressed to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). In it they call for more measures to improve women's sense of security, especially in urban areas. Schwarzwaelder Bote reports that Merz recently spoke in Potsdam about the challenges of migration policy, but also emphasized the need to take women's concerns seriously.
A study by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) shows alarming figures: Only 33.3 percent of women feel safe on public transport at night, while the figure for men is almost 60 percent. In the area where they live, 61 percent of women feel safe, compared to 83 percent of men. These differences make it clear that women's sense of security in Germany is severely impaired, a topic that is not only influenced by current social discussions about migration.
demands and initiatives
The open letter, supported by women like Hibba Kauser, SPD city councilor from Offenbach, also criticizes the use of women's concerns as an “excuse for racist narratives”. The protest has already led to numerous demonstrations in Germany. Kauser, the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, advocated for better financial resources for women's shelters and spoke out against discrimination during a speech in Berlin. Women without a German passport should not suffer from the existing problems that are often linked to racism and sexism.
The ongoing debate has also led to an increase in demand for projects such as women's night taxis and "Stop on Request" in Munich, which are intended to make it easier for women to move more safely in public spaces. Deutsche Welle highlights that there are only around 400 women's shelters in Germany that can only accommodate 7,000 women, while the actual need according to the Istanbul Convention is at least 21,000 places.
Call to action
With the initiative “We are the daughters – 10 demands on Friedrich Merz for our security,” the signatories are urging that the government not only talk about the problems, but also take concrete action. Judith Rahner, managing director of the German Women's Council, highlights that in 2023 a total of 909 women were victims of an attempted or completed homicide. It is high time that the security debate was taken seriously and solutions were developed to offer men and women a safe space.
One of the central demands is improved lighting and surveillance of public spaces. Many women are currently having to travel to other counties to find protection. The discussion about the introduction of electronic ankle bracelets in the Violence Protection Act has also gained momentum in order to offer affected women more security. Unfortunately, the road to greater security is still long, but the initiatives and open exchange are already a step in the right direction.
Women's sense of security on the way home is a complex issue in Germany, and the latest developments show that there is an urgent need to seek solutions that go beyond simple security measures. It is up to all of us to continue this dialogue and fight for the concerns of all women.