HRW: Germany’s Social Security System Fails to Protect Women’s Rights
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has announced that Germany’s social security system inadequately safeguards women from poverty, violating the state’s constitutional obligation to ensure citizens can afford necessary living expenses, Jurist News reported. The report highlights that women in Germany are disproportionately affected by poverty, comprising two-thirds of low-wage workers and often receiving smaller pensions due to childrearing not being factored into pension calculations. Additionally, the prevalence of single-parent households among women exacerbates their financial vulnerability.
The rising cost of living, driven by inflation and insufficient increases in social security support, has intensified these gender inequalities. HRW emphasizes that under Article 1 of Germany’s Basic Law, the state is required to provide minimum subsistence, which encompasses not only physical necessities but also sociocultural resources essential for maintaining social relationships and participating in cultural and political life.
Despite Germany’s commitment in 2021 to reform its social security system to address post-COVID-19 price increases, political disagreements among governing parties have resulted in less ambitious reforms. The ongoing issues are further complicated by an aging population, which threatens to leave many elderly women particularly vulnerable due to lower pension supports and wage disparities. The current cost of living crisis, worsened by geopolitical tensions, adds urgency to the need for comprehensive reforms as coalition negotiations continue, with deadlines set for May.
