Germany's Equality Ministers Demand Better Support for Women's Health and Business

The 36th Conference of Equality and Women’s Affairs Ministers concluded in Dresden on Friday. Delegates addressed key issues affecting women, including cardiovascular health and financial protections for self-employed mothers. The event highlighted gaps in gender-sensitive healthcare and business support systems. A central topic was women’s cardiovascular health. The conference welcomed federal plans to prioritise gender-sensitive research but criticised the lack of female representation in medical studies. Women often experience different symptoms and medication responses in heart disease, yet their needs remain understudied.

Delegates demanded systematic tracking of risk factors, targeted training for healthcare staff, and tailored preventive screenings. They also pushed for better financial security for self-employed women during and after pregnancy. Currently, these women bear full economic risk without the protections salaried employees receive.

Lower Saxony’s Equality Minister, Andreas Philippi, called for a federal funding model or solidarity-based system to boost female entrepreneurship. His state successfully advocated for stronger maternity protections for self-employed women. The conference urged the federal government to propose concrete measures to address these gaps. The conference ended with clear demands for policy changes. These include better financial support for self-employed mothers and improved research into women’s cardiovascular health. The outcomes aim to address long-standing inequalities in healthcare and business.