Equal Opportunities and Social Services in Stuttgart: Focus on Care Work, Promotion of Physical Activity, and Psychological Support

Care Work in the Spotlight: Equal Opportunities as a Societal Challenge

Unpaid care work remains a central challenge for achieving equal opportunities in Stuttgart. In February 2026, a public meeting of the Advisory Board for Equal Opportunities took place, addressing the societal significance and distribution of care work. According to the latest data, the gender care gap in Stuttgart stands at 44.3 percent, meaning women spend about 76 more minutes a day on unpaid care work than men.

This discrepancy has wide-reaching effects on women's career choices, wages, and work-life balance. Stuttgart has therefore launched a series of events to highlight the topics of care work, equal pay, and caregiving. Events such as "Economy is Care" or "Free Under All Circumstances! How Radical is Feminism?" aim to increase societal appreciation for care work and simultaneously discuss possible solutions.

Gender-Sensitive Promotion of Physical Activity: New Approaches for Girls and Young Women

In February 2026, Stuttgart decided to design physical activity programs in a gender-sensitive manner to promote the physical activity of girls and young women. A pilot study titled "spORT für Dich" was conducted in cooperation with the Department for Equal Opportunities and the Office for Sport and Physical Activity. The goal is to design physical activity programs tailored to the specific needs of girls and young women.

The study identified several key barriers: financial constraints, lack of a sense of safety, and pressure to perform. At the same time, a desire for creative sports such as calisthenics, volleyball, or outdoor gyms was expressed. Stuttgart therefore plans to install more fitness equipment, climbing structures, and beach volleyball courts specifically accessible to girls and young women. In addition, protected spaces and times will be created in which girls can move freely without pressure.

Another focus is on participation: girls and young women should be actively involved in the planning and implementation of physical activity programs. This is considered a key factor for ensuring long-term motivation and participation. Infrastructure also plays a major role – clean, easily accessible, and well-lit spaces are central. Stuttgart plans to increase the diversity of physical activity spaces and promote them according to criteria of gender budgeting.

Psychological Support: Counseling for All Life Situations

In February 2026, a new offer for psychological support was also introduced: the counseling center "Ruf und Rat" of the Catholic Family and Life Counseling in Stuttgart. The facility offers a wide range of counseling formats – from in-person counseling to video and telephone counseling, as well as innovative formats such as "Walk and Talk" or "Blended Counseling."

The offer is easily accessible and anonymous, making it especially attractive for people in crisis situations. It is aimed at couples, families, individuals, and groups and addresses topics such as separation counseling, couple counseling, life counseling, coaching, and mediation. Special attention is also given to counseling for men* who have experienced sexualized violence – a topic discussed under the hashtag #MEnTOO.

Another highlight is the group for fathers in separation situations, which has existed since January 2026 and is offered in cooperation with four counseling centers. In addition, there is an information and experience evening on Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT), which takes place on March 5, 2026.

Outlook: Equal Opportunities as a Process of Continuous Improvement

The measures taken in February 2026 show that Stuttgart is actively committed to equal opportunities and social support. At the same time, it also becomes clear that these issues are complex and multifaceted. The pilot study on the promotion of physical activity, the event series on care work, and the expansion of psychological counseling services are important steps in the right direction.

The challenge now is to transfer the results of the study and the experiences from implementation into long-term strategies. Stuttgart must continue to focus on participation, transparency, and sustainability to shape equal opportunities not only as a goal, but as a continuous process. The city has shown that it is ready to implement innovations in practice – and that is a positive signal for the future.