Anniversary - Rural Women's Day: President calls for a different culture of debate
The President of the German Women's Association, Petra Bentheimer, speaks in favor of a changed culture of conflict in politics. She cannot understand why the result of the European election in June did not lead the democratic parties to work together to preserve democracy, Bentheimer stated at a press conference at the Women's Day in Kiel.
Of course politics is competition, but currently she experiences it as a kind of "destructive strategy". "Everyone steps on each other's toes properly", emphasized Bentheimer. Of course there is opposition and it must be contested - but respectfully. She misses this respect for each other. The Association's President emphasized: "We need a different way of dealing with each other again."
The Women's Associations, whether at the local, district, state, or federal level, are learning places for democracy, explained the Chief Executive Officer of the German Women's Association, Daniela Ruhe. There, things are negotiated, democratically discussed and decided. This leads to the fact that one must then also endure and participate in the majority opinion - even as President of a federal association.
Jubilee of the Women
At this year's Women's Day in Kiel, the Association is celebrating its birthday under the motto "75 years of Women - On Course for the Future". Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will give the opening speech. In addition, Bundesminister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir (Greens), Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens), and Schleswig-Holstein's Minister President Daniel Günther (CDU) are expected.
The goal of the meeting of the largest federal association for women and their families, who live in rural areas, is to improve working conditions and social participation in rural areas, as the Association announced. It represents the political interests of approximately 450,000 women in rural regions and the profession of farmers.
- Petra Bentheimer, the President of the German Women's Association, expressed her concern about the lack of cooperation among democratic parties in Germany after the European election, advocating for a change in the culture of debate.
- At the Women's Day celebration in Kiel, the German Women's Association is celebrating its 75th anniversary under the motto "75 years of Women - On Course for the Future," with notable guests such as Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Schleswig-Holstein's Minister President Daniel Günther.
- Daniela Ruhe, the Chief Executive Officer of the German Women's Association, pointed out that women's associations at various levels serve as valuable learning environments for democracy, fostering negotiation, discussion, and decision-making processes.
- Petra Bentheimer voices her concern about the current political climate in Germany, finding the aggressive competition and disrespect among parties to be a "destructive strategy" that undermines the very principles of democracy.
- The Women's Countrywomen's Association, a leading association for women and families in rural areas, has its focus set on enhancing working conditions and social participation in rural regions, representing the interests of approximately 450,000 women and farmers in the country.
- Cem Özdemir, Bundesminister of Food and Agriculture, is among the expected guests at this year's Women's Day in Kiel, where the German Women's Association will discuss and advocate for the importance of strengthening rural areas and empowering women in agriculture.
