Although women's leisure opportunities are now viewed far more favorably by German citizens than they were ten years ago, they are still far from achieving equal opportunities. This, in a nutshell, is the result of a new representative survey conducted by the BAT Leisure Research Institute in Hamburg.

Equality in housework appears to have been least achieved. 43% of the women surveyed perceive it as a significant intrusion into their leisure time, leaving them with "less time" than men. In contrast, a "too dominant partner" is cited as a reason for reduced leisure opportunities by only about one in five women (19%).

Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority – around two-thirds of women (67%) and men (76%) – believe that women's leisure opportunities have improved. As expected, this is especially true for the younger age group up to 19 years (84%), while only 57% of those over 60 share this view. No differences between small towns and large cities are apparent in the BAT survey.

Going to parties, cafes, or restaurants without a male companion remains a problem for a large proportion of the women surveyed (42%). One in three women (34%) feels disadvantaged when she travels alone on vacation. Almost as many are hesitant to travel alone on public transportation after dark.

However, the view that "a woman does not smoke on the street" has changed; only 28% of women and 33% of men now share this opinion.

The least restriction on leisure opportunities for women can be found in sports or hobby clubs, where around 80% of respondents see no restriction of equality.

Women are of course welcome in all charitable organizations. However, only 14% of the women surveyed feel they are disadvantaged compared to their male colleagues.