SPD women in Schwandorf: Andrea Diermeier fights for more women's power!

SPD women in Schwandorf: Andrea Diermeier fights for more women's power!

In Schwandorf, the SPD women of Upper Palatinate experienced a sign of strength and commitment. At the district conference, Andrea Diermeier was re-elected as chairwoman with much approval. In addition to Diermeier, Sandra Richthammer and Petra Thomas will join forces as deputies to further shape the political landscape in the region. Diermeier was pleased with the trust of the members and emphasized the important role of women in politics, who are still underrepresented in Bavaria. Around a third of the elected representatives in local parliaments are female, and for female mayors and district administrators this proportion is only around ten percent. It is important to make improvements here and to win more women for local political mandates.

A central topic of the conference was the supply situation for abortions in the Upper Palatinate. The situation is characterized by information and supply problems, as Eva-Maria Meier and Claudia Alkofer explained in their lecture on the work of pro familia Regensburg. This is related to a recent study that shows that many women in Germany have difficulty obtaining adequate information and access to necessary services. In fact, almost 60% of women surveyed reported that they found it difficult to obtain information about abortion, and more than 25% had to contact multiple facilities to even get an appointment. Particularly in Bavarian regions, the provision of care is perceived as inadequate.

The numbers speak for themselves

The nationwide statistics prove the problem. From 2012 to 2021, over one million abortions were recorded, with the majority of these procedures occurring within the first two months in 2021. What is striking is that 40.9% of women who had an abortion in 2021 had not previously had a live birth. In addition, 58% were single and only 38% were married. The pressure on the women affected is enormous, and the waiting times for an operation can be up to three weeks, as the experiences of Laura Hessel make clear, who herself received a positive result from an unwanted pregnancy test.

Hessel's case illustrates the challenges many women face and sheds light on the social stigmas often associated with the decision to terminate a pregnancy. This stigmatization is identified as one of the biggest negative influences on psychological well-being. In addition, the current discussion about the Pregnancy Conflict Act will continue to gain momentum. The federal government is planning to ban sidewalk harassment in front of advice centers, which some have criticized as an infringement on freedom of assembly.

On the way to the local elections

Speaking of changes: The SPD women in Upper Palatinate are actively preparing for next year's local elections, which will take place on March 8th (International Women's Day). The aim is to bring feminist issues and the visibility of women in politics more to the fore. Diermeier announced that planned events and actions are intended to draw attention to these important issues. The pressure for change is there, and with the new election, the SPD women hope to bring even more women into local political offices.

A political powerhouse that values ​​commitment and solidarity - this is how the SPD women in Upper Palatinate present themselves and show that changes in society can only succeed if everyone pulls together. The challenges are enormous, but the will to find a solution is strong and unmistakable.