Thank You, Women!

With six women sitting in the 14-member cabinet in Berlin, Germany politically meets the equality standards of its Scandinavian counterparts. But in women’s day-to-day life, that’s where the similarities stop.

Germany’s Minister for Women’s and Family Affairs, Christine Bergmann, said on International Women’s Day on Friday that the Berlin government had taken significant steps to improve womens’ situations since it came to power in 1998. Her ministry had introduced several programs to promote women in the working world, she said.

Also, laws regarding maternity leave have been expanded so that men can also take time off work to raise their children. "Effective policies for equality run right through all political sectors and bundle all forces so that the equality of women becomes reality," Bergmann said.

But Germany still has a lot of catching up to do. Scandinavian countries have for many years already offered sufficient daycare facilities, and strong initiatives ensuring equal opportunities for men and women. And Germany is just beginning to tackle this task.

Roses for the women of the night

The head of Berlin’s department for economic and women’s affairs, Gregor Gysi, came up with an unusual way to mark International Women’s Day. The member of the reformed Communist party PDS reawakened an old East German tradition of taking to the streets to congratulate women on this day.

"It goes without saying that women should be congratulated on this day," said Gysi (photo) about his motivation for the action. "So I thought to myself, which women in particular should be recognized? And it’s those who are on night shifts."

So Gysi spent the night leading into International Women’s Day zipping through the capital city to hand various nighttime working women red roses. And of course, the most famous working women of the night were also on his list. Despite the threat of damaging headlines, Gysi also popped by a brothel.

The women in the "Erotic Establishment Text and Form" in Berlin-Schöneberg were quite taken by the politician’s visit. Camilla, who’s been a Domina for 27 years, used the opportunity to canvass for more rights for prostitutes. Gysi immediately suggested a meeting in his office to discuss the problems in greater detail.

But he also visited women sorting mail at the post office, policewomen on duty or female staff at hospitals. Most of them were pleasantly surprised by the action. And they don’t see it as a pure PR gimmick, either. "It’s a nice gesture. And I like Gysi as a person: easygoing and willing to talk and listen," said one mail sorter.

She’s got a ticket to ride

Women in the eastern German city of Schwerin were met with a nice surprise on Friday: free travel on the city’s public transport system. The authorities said they wanted to congratulate all women with this gesture.

The police in Jekaterinburg, Russia also have an unusual way to mark Women’s Day. Instead of tickets for minor traffic violations, the authorities are giving the city’s women flowers and perfume. But they will still be stopped and warned, the police said.

In Cyprus, the government announced plans to recruit Greek Cypriot women as volunteers in its army of male conscripts. "Call it a present on the occasion of International Women's Day," Defense Minister Socrates Hasikos said.

But the drive for equality will not go as far as giving the women free uniforms, as is the case for men. This would cost too much.