Political participation of migrant women
German citizenship is required to be able to cast a vote in the federal elections. This means that 10,6 million foreigners living in Germany (including 4,8 million women) are excluded from voting for their political representatives at the federal level, that is 12,8% of the population. Since the amendment to the Basic Law in 1992, EU citizens can at least participate in local elections, but this still does not apply to so-called third-country nationals. You can neither directly nor indirectly participate in local, state or federal elections. This affects 5,9 million people in Germany. Regardless of their social, economic and cultural participation in this country, they are denied political participation.
In addition, people with a history of flight or migration are clearly underrepresented in the institutional area of politics. Only 8% of all MPs have a history of migration, how many women are among them is not recorded. This proportion is far below the proportion of people with a migration background in the total population. This was 2017% in 23,6.
The concerns of women with a history of refugee or migration are therefore insufficiently represented in institutional politics. As the umbrella organization of migrant women’s organizations, DaMigra eV has made it its goal to promote their concerns in politics through lobbying.
We have to stop wanting them to say you can.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, every fourth person in Germany in 2018 had their own or a family history of migration. Why do we only see a few of them in committees, dialogue forums, networks and parliaments? What measures can be taken to increase the political participation of migrant and refugee women? The following study should find the first answers and invite further research.
Position paper on the political participation of migrant women
“Live Democracy!”: Project on political participation
As part of the federal program "Live Democracy!" DaMigra eV implemented the project "Equal Political Participation for Female Migrants". The project offered nationwide events that empower women with migration and refugee backgrounds to participate in politics. The aim of the project was for women to exercise their political rights and act as role models in families and communities. This publication is part of this project "Speak up Sister! - Young migrant women shape their future. A guide to engagement and empowerment. "emerged.
Annual conference 2017: equal voice, equal rights!
What holds a liberal democracy together? How can migrant women be better represented in parties and committees regardless of their “origin”, religion or their identity documents? In what form do vulnerable groups such as women without residence permits claim their basic and human rights? The DaMigra eV annual conference 2017 dealt with the political participation of migrant women and refugee women. In the end we agreed: Democracy needs every vote - so that it remains alive and sustainable.
Documentation of the DaMigra annual conference 2017: "Equal Voice - Equal Rights"
