The Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Karin Prien, is outlining plans to address the challenges faced by single parents, focusing on measures to improve their financial security and work-life balance. A key element of this initiative involves stricter enforcement against individuals failing to meet child support obligations. Minister Prien expressed strong disapproval of instances where individuals deliberately minimize their reported income for tax purposes to avoid fulfilling financial responsibilities, describing such actions as unacceptable. Potential measures under consideration include the suspension of driving licenses for persistent offenders.
Beyond financial support, Minister Prien announced a focus on improving work-life compatibility for families. Proposed expansions include enhanced parental benefits for self-employed individuals and discussions surrounding an increase to existing parental leave allowances. The feasibility of the latter remains contingent on positive economic performance.
Addressing other social issues, Minister Prien stated there are no plans to pursue the decriminalization of abortion. She emphasized the importance of preserving the existing legal framework, arguing that reopening debate risks unnecessary polarization and an uncertain legal outcome. However, she advocated for improved support and care for women who choose to have an abortion, aligning with the goals articulated in the governing coalition agreement. This includes exploring potential expansions of healthcare coverage for abortion-related services.
Minister Prien also discussed the challenges women face in political spheres, acknowledging the prevalence of online harassment and abuse. She recounted experiencing a significant volume of targeted attacks, often focusing on her appearance and age. While she rarely reports such incidents to authorities, she chooses to leave the comments visible, believing they discredit the authors themselves.
Concerning the current gender imbalance within the government apparatus, Minister Prien recognized the need for improvement. As Deputy Chair of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), she affirmed the party’s commitment to increasing the representation of women in positions of power. She stressed that simply amplifying the voices of women within the party is insufficient and emphasized the importance of fostering an environment that encourages female engagement and welcomes those who assert leadership ambitions. Minister Prien underscored the significance of both women’s solidarity and an active commitment from those already in positions of authority to advance gender parity, suggesting the potential use of quotas to facilitate this process.