Women in Germany still face discrimination in many areas of society. This is also evident in the labor market. Immigrant women may even experience multiple forms of discrimination: based on their gender and their immigrant background.
Traditional notions often play a role here, such as which professions are suitable for women and which tasks they should take on within the family—such as childcare and caring for the elderly. However, immigrant women are sometimes only confronted with certain role expectations once they arrive in Germany. They also often face the problem that certain integration programs, such as language support, are barely accessible to them. For instance, they may lack the necessary flexibility due to personal obligations, or, as spouses under family reunification, they have only limited access to integration measures.
Due to societal prejudices, the skills and achievements of women with and without a migration background are often significantly underestimated. As a result, their potential in the labor market is not fully realized. Gender-sensitive attitudes among migration and career counselors, HR professionals, and employers can help actively counteract prejudices and, consequently, discrimination and exclusion.
It is not only women who face discrimination based on their gender. Men, particularly gay and transgender individuals, also experience stereotyping and discrimination, which can make it difficult for them to integrate into the labor market. Therefore, it is important to address the multiple disadvantages faced by gay and transgender immigrants when discussing the topics of gender, immigration, and the labor market. They face specific challenges that must be recognized so that they can be addressed.
The following practical guides, specialized texts, counseling centers, and services in Saxony-Anhalt address these aspects of gender-equitable coexistence in the workplace. The resources and contact points presented here are intended for career counselors and advisors working with immigrants, as well as for HR professionals and employers who hire people with a migration background.
To date, there are few freely available resources that incorporate the three dimensions of gender, migration, and the labor market. Therefore, this page also includes publications that focus solely on the dimensions of gender and the labor market and are equally relevant for people with and without a migration background.
- Overview of the topic of gender, migration, and the labor market
- Practical resources
- Services in Saxony-Anhalt: Counseling, Support, and Training
- Further specialized information on gender, migration, and the labor market