One Billion Rising Austria Demands Stronger Focus on Women's Policy
In the event of an FPÖ-ÖVP coalition, the association One Billion Rising Austria fears cuts and less support for civil society initiatives. "The cuts are life-threatening," explained former Green National Council member and OBRA co-founder Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic to journalists.
One Billion Rising Austria Rally Against Violence Against Women on Valentine's Day
The association insisted on more women's and equality policies as well as cooperation between politics, authorities, and NGOs. "At the moment, no one at the negotiating table is taking care of this," criticized the former politician towards the parties currently negotiating a coalition. On Valentine's Day, a sign against male violence against women and girls is to be set through joint dancing. OBRA's dance events are intended to strengthen the sense of community and trust in one's own body. The women present would "realize that they are not alone. They see how many come together and want to set a strong sign against violence," said Jenny-Kerstin Bauer, deputy managing director of the network of Austrian women's and girls' counseling centers and spokesperson for the "Alliance ViolenceFREE living".
One Billion Rising Austria Concerned About "Patriarchal 1950s Politics" Under FPÖ Government
The association lacks the resources to reach many people with its activist work. Until 2018, there was a cooperation with the Ministry of Education, which was subsequently discontinued under the then blue-black government. OBRA demands from the upcoming government the continuation of current measures in the spirit of the Istanbul Convention. The international treaty was developed by the Council of Europe in 2011 and aims to create a Europe-wide legal framework to protect women from violence.
Furthermore, an expansion of women's and equality policies was insisted upon. The association fears that a government with FPÖ participation could push women "back into the domestic sphere" and that one should expect "patriarchal 1950s politics". "Women's policy must not be backward-looking," said Klaudia Frieben, chairwoman of the Austrian Women's Ring. An investment in women's associations also pays off economically, said political scientist Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic at the OBRA press conference. The costs that male violence entails are much higher than the investment in prevention measures.
(APA/Red)
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