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

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

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

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

5. 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

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

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

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

9. 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

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