Germany's Equality Ministers Demand Better Heart Care and Maternity Rights for Women

The 36th Conference of Equality and Women’s Affairs Ministers (GFMK) ended in Dresden on Friday. Delegates addressed key issues like women’s cardiovascular health and gaps in maternity protections for self-employed women. During the event, participants criticised the lack of female representation in medical studies. They noted that women often experience different symptoms in cardiovascular diseases and respond differently to treatments. The conference urged systematic tracking of risk factors, better training for healthcare staff, and tailored screenings for women’s heart health.

Lower Saxony played a leading role in pushing for improved maternity protections. Equality Minister Andreas Philippi called for a federal funding model or a solidarity-based system to support self-employed women. Unlike salaried workers, these women currently face full financial risk for their businesses during maternity leave.

The conference also welcomed a federal initiative to prioritise gender-sensitive healthcare in research. Delegates urged the government to propose concrete measures for better financial security for self-employed women before and after childbirth. The GFMK highlighted critical gaps in healthcare and economic protections for women. Its demands include stronger research focus on female-specific medical needs and financial safeguards for self-employed mothers. The outcomes aim to shape future policies at the federal level.