Cooperatives in Germany and state of women employment Barbara von Neumann-Cosel, Genossenschaftsforum

„Equal opportunities are realized when the same number of men and women are working on jobs they are not qualified for.” (Alice Schwarzer, journalist)

1. Cooperatives in Germany – an overview 2. Housing Cooperatives and state of women employment 3. Conclusions

Cooperatives in Germany – an overview more than 7.200 cooperatives in Germany Banking, housing, agriculture, retail trading, etc nearly 20.8 million members most of them small and medium sized

Berliner Volksbank 60 % female employees Nearly 40% women on second management level Labour-management-contract: regulating the compatibility of family and professional life (parental leave): - Qualification courses - Godparents - conditions of parental leave

Housing Cooperatives in Germany Nearly 2,000 housing cooperatives 10% market share Dual character: economic and social institution Housing Projects for women

Housing cooperatives and state of women employment 75 % of the employees in the investigated cooperatives are women

Housing cooperatives and state of women employment 27,5% of the managing directors in housing cooperatives are women

Conclusions The group of women has to be divided into categories as age, ethnic identity, religion, etc More diversity in women employment Empowerment programs for men? Motivating programs, networks, quotas for women in management positions

„Ways are created by going them.“ „Wege entstehen dadurch, dass man sie geht.“ (Franz Kafka)