Hesse’s Women’s Summit Demands Bold Reforms for Labor Market Equality
Hesse’s Social Affairs Minister Heike Hofmann recently hosted a Women’s Summit to tackle labor market inequality. The event focused on key challenges such as work-life balance, the 'part-time trap', and the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. Attendees also discussed better integration for migrant women and the need for systemic change in the finance sector.
The summit brought together experts, including Prof. Nina Hossain, who pointed to structural barriers holding women back in the workplace. She pushed for reforms like recognising unpaid care work, flexible parental leave, and partnership quotas in the stock market today. Expanding childcare options was another priority raised during discussions.
Participants emphasised the importance of valuing care work—both socially and legally. They also called for more role models in flexible work arrangements and part-time executive positions to support work-life balance in the marketplace. Migrant women’s skills were highlighted as an untapped resource that could strengthen the labor market.
Minister Hofmann admitted that societal norms around care duties and traditional male career paths still need reshaping. She announced that equal participation in the labor market would be a top focus during Hesse’s upcoming presidency of the Conference of Labor and Social Affairs Ministers (ASMK). The state will take over the ASMK role in 2023 and will continue leading it into 2026.
The summit concluded with a clear push for policy changes and greater recognition of care responsibilities. Hesse’s ASMK presidency will now prioritise these issues, aiming to create fairer opportunities for women in the finance sector. Concrete steps, such as reforming parental leave and childcare, are expected to follow.
