Women and girls worldwide are disproportionately affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include a rise in domestic violence as well as the loss of career and education opportunities.
The progress we have achieved so far is also at stake. Women make up almost 51% of the world’s population. Global responses must therefore always take a gender perspective into account, and women must play a decisive role in decision-making,
explained Federal Minister Alexander Schallenberg in the run-up to International Women’s Day.
Women’s participation in decision-making begins at home.
It is important for me to set a good example. I am proud that the proportion of women in the diplomatic service has been rising steadily for years. It is currently at just under 40% and is continuing to rise. Half of the management positions in the Foreign Ministry are held by women,
continues Federal Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day the Foreign Ministry, together with its diplomatic missions, are using their social media channels to present Austrian female expatriates in leadership positions across the world. The campaign, which has adopted the motto #womentothetop, will continue throughout the month of March.
The commitment to the rights of girls and women is a crosscutting issue throughout the entire work of the Foreign Ministry. In all international forums, such as the UN, the EU, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and particularly as a member of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women from 2021 to 2025, Austria is committed to upholding the rights of women and girls and their equal participation in all areas of life. The aim of the Commission on the Status of Women is to improve the legal status of women in the political, economic and social sphere.
As a traditional bridge builder, we are committed on a daily basis to ensure that equal rights apply to both women and men and that discrimination against women is highlighted and repressed,
says the Foreign Minister.
The commission is also responsible for implementing development policy projects. All projects and programmes funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) must fulfil mandatory gender equality criteria. Likewise, in its foreign cultural activities, Austria pays special attention to the balanced representation and support of artists. Notable successes have been achieved through funding programmes in the cultural sector. These include “KALLIOPE Austria – Women in Society, Culture, and Science” and the “Tricky Women Film Programme”. Finally, the Austrian Foreign Ministry plays an important role in cases of forced marriages with links abroad. It supports those affected by providing counselling and helping to repatriate women to their home countries.
