After thousands of people took to the streets over the weekend to protest violence against women, the Left (Die Linke) is calling for a comprehensive strategy to protect women.
“We see from the current protests that women have long demanded a real political break” said Kathrin Gebel, the Left’s women‑rights spokesperson, to the “Rheinische Post” Monday edition. “What we need now are not piecemeal measures, but a clear, aggressive push”.
Gebel stressed that those taking the protests seriously must not at the same time weaken civil society. Instead, she urged the strengthening of programmes such as “Living Democracy” and the projects anchored there with HateAid and women’s shelters. “The federal government offers no solutions” she added. “On the contrary, it is attempting to weaken civil society, the very body that offers help to the wounded”.
The Greens’ chair, Franziska Brantner, also called for further action. “It is ultimately essential that the rules not only exist on paper, but are truly enforced” she told the newspaper. “We are talking about investigative authorities – police and prosecutors. They must be equipped to conduct thorough investigations”. She added that funding for the Violence Assistance Act, which guarantees women the right to advice and protection, must also be secured by the federal government.
