Berlin / Brussels – Germany’s rural women are dissatisfied with the European Commission’s proposals for rural development after 2013.
Presenting a position paper on the European Commission’s proposals for rural development Brigitte Scherb, the president of Germany’s Country Women Association said that “the issue of equality has died away. It is as if women and rural women’s associations don’t exist.”
Contributing with practical ideas and voluntary work, country women’s associations are key actors to rural development. When it comes to financial support however, “the hurdles for these associations are piling as high as a house,” said Scherb.
Through testimonials highlighted in the position paper, Germany’s country women criticize that “in rural areas and within the different agricultural structures the male dominated reality is accepted.” The paper calls for rural women’s associations to be able to classify as beneficiaries and be allowed to participate in project calls. Last but not least, the European Commission should explicitly consider women’s participation in rural development.
