(de-news.net) – The German Bundesrat has enacted the Gewalthilfegesetz, which will accord victims of gender-based and domestic violence the legal right to protection and assistance, effective 1 January 2030. The support infrastructure is to be augmented with the establishment of additional women’s shelters, safe houses, and counseling centers, adequately resourced by the respective states. The federal government is slated to contribute 2.6 billion euros towards the funding of this system through 2036. Federal Minister Lisa Paus of the Green Party described this legislative milestone as a “historic moment” and a “crucial advancement” in confronting the pervasive issue of violence against women.

Furthermore, the second German legislative chamber sanctioned the extension of maternity protection provisions, thereby entitling women who suffer a miscarriage from the 13th week of gestation to these protections, commencing June 2025. Previously, such protections were only available from the 24th week of pregnancy.