Last year, the Anti-Discrimination Agency received a record number of complaints from individuals like Mahmoud, who was desperately searching for an apartment and yet was rarely invited to view potential properties.In contrast, his German friend Stefan was invited to view an apartment that had supposedly already been taken.

Other cases of alleged discrimination include a gay couple who were told by Germany's child welfare agency that they had a "pathological, unnatural web of relationships," and a trainee at a logistics company who repeatedly became the victim of aggressive sexual harassment by a colleague.

All of these people contacted the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency in 2024 to report their experiences of discrimination.

"Discrimination is a growing problem in Germany. We have a massive problem with racism. We have a massive problem with sexism. And there is a huge reluctance to allow people with disabilities to participate equally," says Ferda Ataman, the independent federal anti-discrimination commissioner.

However, Ataman also believes that the increase in requests for advice is a sign of trust in the rule of law, as more and more people are "aware of their rights and are standing up against discrimination." This is particularly true when it comes to racism.

Last year, more than 3,800 people reported incidents of racism — almost half of all complaints received by the Anti-Discrimination Agency.

Racism remains the most common form of discrimination

Ayman Qasarwa is the managing director of DaMOst, the umbrella organization for migrant organizations in eastern Germany. In the annual report of the Anti-Discrimination Agency, he describes the experiences of those affected by racism: "Migrant youth experience racist harassment in schools most often, and they often don't have anyone competent to turn to for help."

Black women and women who wear headscarves are also targets of racist hostility. "They are verbally abused on the street, spat on, or attacked, and sometimes their headscarves are torn off." These experiences also occur in the workplace. "For example, female doctors in hospitals hear patients say, 'I don't want to be treated by that woman,'" says Qasarwa.

Women in the workplace: sexism and career disadvantages

Women of color often face double discrimination. In 2024, there were 2,133 reports of gender discrimination — more than twice as many as just five years ago. "Gender discrimination is still deeply rooted in our society — and it's on the rise again," says Ferda Ataman.

People primarily seek support for issues related to discrimination in the workplace. Women frequently experience sexual harassment there, including obscene gestures, intrusive stares, unwanted touching, and emails with sexual content.

But other examples include being passed over for promotions because of pregnancy or parental leave. Often, women are not given the same job opportunities. Muslim women who wear headscarves are particularly affected by this, as their applications are often disregarded.

Same job, less money: a mayor's successful lawsuit

Women in Germany still earn less than men in the workplace, on average 16% less. The main reasons for the wage gap are that women are more likely to work part-time or in professions that are critical to society and yet are not well paid, such as nursing.

But even when women do exactly the same job as men, they may still find themselves taking home less money at the end of the month. This was the case for Astrid Siems-Knoblich, who, as mayor of Müllheim in Baden-Württemberg, earned less than her male predecessor and her male successor — and successfully sued for equal pay.

"I didn't do this just for myself, but for all women who are also affected by this kind of discrimination," she writes in the Anti-Discrimination Agency's annual report. "Equal pay is ultimately a basic right, and no one in our country should be afraid to demand their basic rights."

'A reform of the Non-Discrimination Act is long overdue'

"Anti-discrimination legislation has never been more important. The government must take decisive action against discrimination and reform the Non-Discrimination Act," demands Ataman. "In Germany, parking violations are punished more severely than discrimination against other people."

The law, which was passed in 2006 and is therefore almost 20 years old, was a milestone in terms of anti-discrimination, but it has not been reformed ever since and, according to Ataman, it is no longer up to date. This is because it does not cover discrimination by state institutions: government offices and authorities, the judiciary, state schools, or the police.

"We currently have the absurd situation where people are better protected against discrimination in the supermarket than at school or in government offices," she said, urging swift action to remedy this. "Discrimination is not just a problem for those who experience it. Discrimination harms the economy, endangers democracy, and threatens our constitutional state as a whole."

This article was originally written in German.

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