Website 7.4 Women and Economic Development

• Equal Pay Legislation and Wage Transparency: Germany has implemented strict equal pay legislation to address the gender pay gap. The Equal Pay Act and Transparency in Wage Structures Act require companies to disclose pay structures and ensure equal pay for equal work. This helps to combat wage discrimination and promote fair compensation practices.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_in_Wage_Structures_Act

• Anti-Discrimination Laws: Germany has comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that prohibit gender-based discrimination in employment. These laws protect individuals from being discriminated against based on their gender during hiring, promotion, and other employment practices. Legal recourse is available to individuals who experience discrimination in the workplace.

https://www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de/EN/about-discrimination/grounds-for-discrimination/gender-and-gender-identity/gender-and-gender-identity-node.html

• Access to Loans and Microloans: Initiatives such as the KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) offer loans and microloans to support women entrepreneurs. These financial resources provide women with the capital they need to start or grow their businesses, helping to bridge the gender gap in access to financing and entrepreneurship.

https://www.oecd.org/employment/leed/Rapid-policy-assessment-Germany-final.pdfv

• Promotion of Women in Corporate Leadership: Germany has introduced quotas for women on corporate boards to increase female representation in upper-level corporate positions. Large listed companies are required to have at least 30% of their non-executive board positions filled by women. This measure aims to break the glass ceiling and create more opportunities for women in leadership roles.

https://www.cov.com/en/news-and-insights/insights/2022/07/fupog-ii--the-gender-quota-on-the-executive-board#:~:text=F%C3%BCPoG%20I%20came%20into%20force%20in%202015.,must%20be%20filled%20by%20the%20underrepresented%20gender.

• Work-Life Balance Policies: Germany has implemented policies to support work-life balance, such as parental leave and flexible working arrangements. These policies enable women to balance their professional and personal responsibilities, reducing barriers to their participation in the workforce and creating more opportunities for advancement in upper-level corporate jobs.

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/living-in-germany/family-life/parental-leave-benefit