More space for women in need: Minister invests 7.5 million euros!

More space for women in need: Minister invests 7.5 million euros!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Equal Opportunities Minister Jacqueline Bernhardt is pulling out all the stops to offer women and children affected by violence a safe home. The expansion of women's shelters is at the top of her agenda, and she is providing a generous 7.5 million euros from the investment fund for the implementation. The aim is not only to increase the number of places, but also to optimize the digital infrastructure and improve security within the facilities. Northern Courier reports that the minister is aiming for a good environment for those affected and employees in the women's shelters.

The planned measures are urgently necessary. In 2022, 189 women and 197 children sought refuge in the country's nine existing women's shelters. But the situation is tense: many women and children could not be admitted due to a lack of capacity. The latest figures also show a worrying trend, as 225 women and almost 250 children were cared for in these protective facilities in 2021. AWO Western Pomerania makes it clear that women who are exposed to life-threatening situations can rely on the services of women's shelters, which offer temporary refuge and provide individual advice.

The situation in the intervention centers

The need for such facilities is underscored by the sharp increase in requests for help in intervention centers. In Rostock, contacts increased by 50 percent between 2017 and 2024, while in Schwerin an increase of 140 percent was recorded. These numbers are also reflected in the total number of inquiries, which increased from almost 2,300 in 2017 to 3,571 in 2022 in the five intervention centers, including Rostock, Stralsund and Neubrandenburg. Diaconia describes that these offices not only offer a point of contact for women, but also provide proactive support, especially after reports to the police.

However, the challenges in financing should not be underestimated. With an approval of around 975,000 euros for the women's shelters this year and the release of an additional 100,000 euros for new staff in Rostock and Schwerin, the minister is showing decisive action to do justice to the increasing number of cases. But the requirements for a functioning help system are clear: Access to these offers must be low-threshold and barrier-free for all those affected.

A look into the future

What’s on the minister’s agenda now? It's about creating new capacities and stabilizing existing offerings. However, the legal framework, such as the ratified Istanbul Convention, sets clear minimum standards for the protection of women affected by violence in Germany. Bernhardt is committed to implementing these standards while ensuring that women's shelters are funded and equipped so that everyone can count on the support they need.

The situation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is an urgent appeal for a willingness to act. Violence against women is a social challenge that must be combated. There is hope through targeted measures and a social awareness that must continue to develop in order to enable the women and children affected to live a good life.