Holzleitner before Women's Day: "Yes, I am a Feminist"

The new Minister for Women, Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ), began her press conference on the occasion of Women's Day with a statement that can be seen as a distinction from her predecessor: "Yes, I am a feminist," she said on Thursday. Feminism stands for a "humane future." The former Minister for Women, Susanne Raab (ÖVP), had not described herself as a feminist. The government program is an "ambitious roadmap" for Holzleitner.

Protection Against Violence, Pay Transparency, Maintenance Guarantee

The measures in it now need to be implemented. Holzleitner emphasized protection against violence - plans include electronic ankle bracelets for high-risk offenders and a National Action Plan against violence against women. Additionally, a "dick pic paragraph" is to be introduced, which would criminalize the unsolicited sending of pictures of male genitalia. In terms of protection against violence, the realities of life for all women should be considered - especially older women and those with disabilities.

Holzleitner wants to combat unequal pay with pay transparency. Companies should have to justify unequal salaries; if this is not possible, they must be adjusted. Additionally, a maintenance guarantee is to be introduced. If fathers cannot pay or simply do not pay, women and children should no longer have to wait long for money. Furthermore, women in science and research should be promoted, and women's hygiene products and contraceptives should be exempt from sales tax.

Holzleitner: "SPÖ Does Not Form a Single-Party Government"

Earlier demands by Holzleitner, such as a legal right to childcare from the first year of life or the removal of abortion from the penal code, are not included in the government program. For her personally, these topics would "definitely remain a goal," the minister said when asked. However: "The SPÖ does not form a single-party government."

Various organizations also used Women's Day to present their demands. For example, the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) called for family-friendly working time models and a legal right to child education from the first birthday. Additionally, "age-appropriate workplaces, genuine health prevention, and fair wages" are needed for more financial independence for women - after all, they receive on average 40 percent less pension than men.

Senior Council Against Higher Health Insurance Contributions for Pensioners

Senior Council President Ingrid Korosec (ÖVP Senior Citizens' Association) and Senior Council President Peter Kostelka (SPÖ-affiliated Pensioners' Association) once again spoke out against the government's planned increase in health insurance contributions for female and male pensioners on the occasion of Women's Day. After all, old-age poverty is female. If there is no way around the increase, the Senior Council demands that it be limited to two years.

The Autonomous Austrian Women's Shelters Association is also concerned about older women. Measures against violence towards them require, for example, awareness-raising in the training of caregivers and information accessible to all age groups.

Chamber of Commerce and Federal Youth Representation for Expansion of Childcare

The Chamber of Commerce highlighted in a press release that in 2024 more than a third of sole proprietorships in Austria were led by a woman, with the proportion of female founders at 46 percent. Like the Federal Youth Representation (BJV), it is pushing for an expansion of childcare. The BJV also called for gender-sensitive career guidance in schools and a fair distribution of unpaid care work.

In addition to the Disability Council, the Independent Monitoring Committee, which oversees the implementation of the UN Women's Rights Convention in Austria, is pushing for improvements for women with disabilities. There are deficits in inclusive education, the inclusive labor market, and the topic of reproductive rights.

(APA/Red)

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