After feminist foreign policy and feminist development policy comes feminist economic policy.

The originator, however, is not the Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (Greens), who was praised as a "feminist".

The paper "Why economic policy can only succeed with feminists" is a classic women's project from the ranks of the Greens: The authors are Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus and the co-chairwoman of the parliamentary group Katharina Dröge, both of whom studied economics.

With their paper they want to give an impetus to analyze the current economic system "from a critical feminist perspective".

Their goal: a "new and inclusive economic framework based on feminist values".

Katja Gelinsky

Business correspondent in Berlin

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However, what is being sold as a feminist realignment is, to a large extent, old wine in new bottles.

Whether more pay transparency through a right to take legal action in labor law, whether caregiver leave with wage replacement benefits or paternity leave when a child is born: many of the projects mentioned have already been agreed in the coalition agreement – ​​without a feminist label.

The increase in the minimum wage is also declared a building block of a feminist economic policy - although research shows that mini-jobs can become a trap for long-term precarious employment, especially for young mothers.

"False incentives for women to work"

With their proposals, Paus and Dröge want to make a contribution to alleviating the shortage of skilled workers, among other things.

After all, 42 percent of the almost five million women between the ages of 25 and 49 who are not employed cite caring for children and other family members as the reason for this.

This is exactly where the Green politicians want to start.

The two economists Regina Riphahn, professor at the University of Nuremberg-Erlangen, and Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, professor at the University of Frankfurt, agree in principle.

In terms of approach, it is correct to think of equality as a factor for Germany as a business location.

"We are losing talent, which is all the more serious because human capital is such an important factor for the success of the German economy," says Fuchs-Schündeln, who is a member of the scientific advisory boards of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and the Bundesbank.

"In principle, the measures are suitable, but they are not enough," adds Riphahn.

Among other things, she is Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and designated Chairwoman of the Association for Social Policy.

"Social norms, which in turn are influenced by political measures such as parental allowance and tax regulations, are crucial for gender equality."

Both economists see Paus and Dröge's demands for a reform of spouse splitting for new marriages as a step in the right direction.

"The combination of a mini-job with spouse splitting stops the professional advancement of women, who are often second earners, slows down the development of human capital and prevents the development of appropriate pension insurance entitlements," criticizes Riphahn.

"The current system creates the wrong incentives for women to work," summarizes Fuchs-Schündeln.

But even if splitting may be a hindrance from an economic point of view, it offers advantages for married women.

It is not forced on anyone, but gives spouses freedom of choice.

Share parental leave better?

Riphahn and Fuchs-Schündeln also approved of the Green Party politicians' plan to create incentives for women to work more by reforming parental benefits.

"If parental leave were divided up better, it can be assumed that companies would also be more willing to promote career advancement for women," said Fuchs-Schündeln.

However, questions arise - not only on this topic - as to what the two green advocates of a feminist economic policy actually want.

In her paper, she talks about a “parental leave plus”, in which both parents can take eight months each and then be able to flexibly divide another eight months between themselves.

But mothers and fathers can already take parental leave for up to three years.

This could mean extending parental allowance from 14 months to 24 months.

"However, that would put a heavy financial burden on the state," Riphahn points out.

Other building blocks of feminist economic policy would also be associated with high costs - possibly also for companies.

Paus and Dröge do not provide any information on who should pay for the care time with wage replacement benefits or the two-week paternity leave after the birth of a child.