Equality and Violence Prevention in Focus: Bremen Politics March 2026

Equality and Violence Prevention: Bremen Politics in March 2026

Equality and violence prevention are central themes in the social policy landscape of Bremen. In March 2026, the city saw significant discussions and measures that will shape the future of women's rights, violence prevention, and gender justice. The focus was on reducing the gender pay gap, implementing the Istanbul Convention, and further developing protection and prevention strategies.

Gender Pay Gap in the Bremen Academic Landscape

A central topic was the analysis of the gender pay gap at Bremen universities. A study by Prognos AG found that the wage difference between men and women in the Bremen higher education and academic sector is 9.4%. Women earn an average of €32.48 per hour, while men receive €35.86. Particularly striking is the difference among professors (3.9%) and in the general university landscape (10.6%).

According to the study, the causes include lower salary levels, a higher share of part-time work, and poorly paid job areas. To address this problem, action fields were defined: appointment procedures, performance-related pay, collective labor agreements, and a gender pay gap monitoring system. The results of the study are to be integrated into the Gender Offensive and target agreements to enable long-term improvements.

Implementation of the Istanbul Convention and State Action Plan

In March 2026, the evaluation of the state action plan for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention was also in focus. The plan, which ran from 2022 to 2025, included a total of 75 measures. Of these, 56 were fully implemented, 15 are in the yellow status (delays), and four in the red status (no funds, no need). The final report was adopted in the Senate on March 3, 2026, and an external evaluation by the Institute for Empirical Sociology is planned for March 2026.

For the year 2026/2027, budgetary funds amounting to €1,095,180 have been allocated for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. In addition, remaining funds from 2025 (€304,297.53) have been redistributed to establish new offers such as perpetrator work.

Structural Measures for Violence Prevention

In the area of violence prevention, Bremen has taken comprehensive measures in recent years. The development of a structured perpetrator program, the integration of the Istanbul Convention into prevention concepts, and the introduction of violence prevention concepts in daycare centers, schools, and accommodations for refugees are examples of this. A case management approach accompanies perpetrators through the criminal proceedings, and gender-sensitive training modules for health professions, teachers, and judicial staff are in development.

Another focus is on digital violence prevention. In Bremen schools, the term "digital violence" is anchored in protection concepts, and corresponding materials and training are offered. In addition, a digital violence prevention monitor was introduced in communal accommodations, which was assessed as time-consuming and needs further development.

Outlook and Recommendations for Action

The evaluation reports and monitoring systems show that Bremen is on the right track, but there is still room for action. The implementation of the second state action plan, the further development of digital violence prevention, and long-term financial planning for staff recruitment are central challenges. Senator for Health, Women and Consumer Protection, Bärbel Reimann, emphasizes the need for a racism-critical, gender-sensitive, and structurally supported policy.

The results of the March session show that Bremen is able to systematically address complex social policy issues. With the right orientation and funding, the city can play a pioneering role in equality and violence prevention policy in the coming years.