Gender equality no soft issue

Gender equality in training and employment can no longer be dismissed as a „soft” issue for industry and politics. Women’s access to high-quality employment has become a key success factor for  Germany’s global competitiveness. Giving women an even better chance to contribute their qualifications at all hierarchy levels and successfully balance work and a family is an important goal for the Federal Government.

That is why strengthening equal opportunities is a key policy principle of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. This applies to the Initiative for Excellence, the Pact for Research and Innovation, and the Higher Education Pact 2020. The Programme for Women Professors, which was launched in cooperation with the Länder, has made a significant contribution to increasing the number of women in science, and has sent out positive signals regarding equality for women in research and the family friendliness of universities.

We cannot and will not continue to accept a situation in which large numbers of highly qualified and motivated women are excluded from high-quality employment. We need a change in working cultures, and we need to rethink traditional role expectations. Many companies and research institutions have set out to improve equal opportunities and family friendliness. The growing number TOTAL E-QUALITY Awards granted reflects this. I am pleased about the attractiveness of this Award and would like to thank TOTAL E-QUALITY e.V. for its hard work.

Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan
Federal Minister of Education and Research