Ehrenamtliche Bürgermeisterinnen im ländlichen Raum – Frauen auf einsamem Posten?

In Germany, about 60 percent of all municipalities are managed by voluntary may- ors mostly located in rural spaces. This important position of political representation is marked by an underrepresentation of women (19 percent). Referring to the academic discourse on full-time mayors and voluntary council women, this paper examines survey data of current office holders, indicating parallels and differences. It connects structures of local politics as well as personal characteristics of female voluntary mayors with gender specific discrimination and emphasizes social structure, professional situation, the role of parties and voters’ associations in rural politics as well as the compatibility of family, work and volunteering. Based on this empirical research, concluding thoughts if female voluntary mayors are fighting a losing battle will be discussed critically.