New gender equality concept for academic staff

The Senate adopted the new 'Equality Concept for Parity' on 19 July. It integrates the standards of EU research funding, the research-oriented equality standards of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is oriented towards the positions for a gender-equitable university policy as proposed by the Federal Conference of Women's and Equal Opportunities Officers (bukof). At the same time, it includes as a central element the 'Target Agreements of the University Management with the Faculties for the Implementation of Equal Opportunities for the Sexes', which were drawn up with the faculties in recent months as part of the university contract with the Bavarian State Ministry and signed jointly by the President and the Deans.

Gender inequality in the German science system is not only a justice problem, but it also "endangers the future viability of German science", as was recently stated in a statement by the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. The 'Equality Concept for Parity' points out systemic unequal treatment and injustice at the university and sets measures to implement equal opportunities for the sexes. The aim is to create a gender- and diversity-responsive university culture that is effective at all levels. In this respect, equality is to be understood as a cross-sectional task to which all members of the university contribute, especially those with leadership responsibility.

The 'Equality Concept for Parity' was developed in accordance with the new Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG), which came into force in January 2023 and stipulates the equal participation of women and men (parity) as a legal goal. It stipulates that higher education institutions shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for women and men in the performance of their tasks and take this into account as a guiding principle. They work towards the elimination of existing disadvantages. The university women's representatives support the university in the performance of their task. At the same time, the BayHIG has anchored the "equal opportunity participation of its members irrespective of gender, social, cultural or ethnic origin, age, sexual identity, religion or ideology, disability or chronic illness" (Art. 3 para. 5 p. 1) in the central tasks of the universities. In addition to the guiding category of gender, the equality concept also takes into account other categories of disadvantage.

The concept will soon be published on the homepage. The contact persons are the Women's Representative and the team in the Equal Opportunities Service Office.