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EQUALITY

What is the Austrian government doing for gender equality?

The federal government in Austria announced funding that mainly benefits women in rural areas, older women, and issues related to forced marriage, violence and digitalisation.

Published: 20 August 2024 12:11 CEST
What is the Austrian government doing for gender equality?
Susanne Raab announces new fundings for projects to improve women's rights, combate violence and improve digital skills. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

The Federal Chancellery is investing €2 million into 18 different initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls in Austria.

Around 7,000 women are expected to benefit from the funding. 

Funding to support women’s rights, combat violence, and improve digital skills

The funding, announced by Women’s Minister Susanne Raab from The People’s Party (ÖVP), will mainly support projects focusing on improving the lives of women in rural regions, women over 60, and women working on farms.

Main areas of support include combating forced marriage, gender stereotypes, and addressing cultural and family-related violence. The funding supports projects that offer ways out of violent structures, raise awareness of specialised institutions, and promote dialogue between generations.

READ ALSO: Reader question: Is abortion legal in Austria?

“Violence has no place here in Austria. We are taking numerous measures to combat this and ensure that women who are victims of such acts receive the necessary help and support, because every woman and girl in Austria should be able to live free from violence,” says Raab.

The projects will run from 1st September 2024 to 31st December 2025 and also focus on empowering women and girls in the digital space. This includes supporting projects that promote access to digital skills and develop strategies to combat digital violence, such as online hate.

The Federal Chancellery will invest 2 million euros in 18 different initiatives to improve women’s lives in Austria. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
 

Significant support to associations all over Austria

“Every woman and girl must know that she can achieve anything in her life and live the way she wants”, emphasised Raab.

Significant support from the Chancellery includes €150,000 for the “EqualiZ” association in Carinthia. The association aims to improve participation and self-confidence among women and girls in rural areas, particularly those in the agricultural sector.

EqualiZ focuses on breaking down outdated gender roles and tackling power imbalances that limit women’s opportunities and independence. The association also works to address different forms of gender-based violence.

Another recipient is Johannes Kepler University in Linz, which will receive €190,000 for a nationwide project aimed at educating schoolgirls about the risks of cybercrime related to artificial intelligence.

READ ALSO: Why is the gender pay gap so big in German-speaking countries?

The project focuses on dangers from fake photos, videos, and audio generated by artificial intelligence. The goal is to increase students’ awareness and teach them how to stay safe online.

Additionally, about €120,000 is awarded to the “Mafalda” association in Styria for raising awareness about human and women’s rights, as well as forced marriage.

The association’s goal is to provide a creative approach to complex issues, offer information on violence dynamics and patriarchal structures, and highlight options for escaping such situations. 

You can read about the other projects that will receive funding HERE.

READ NEXT: How do Austria’s political parties want to address the gender pay gap?

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

What are the penalties for drug possession in Austria?

Austria is quite strict when it comes to drug laws and getting caught with even a small amount of an illegal substance could get you in trouble. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 28 August 2024 15:33 CEST
What are the penalties for drug possession in Austria?

Drug possession laws in Austria are strictly enforced, with penalties varying based on the type and quantity of the substance, as well as the circumstances of the offense. The Austrian Narcotic Substances Act (Suchtmittelgesetz, SMG) governs these regulations, with a clear distinction between personal use and trafficking.

Here’s what you need to know.

What are the laws that prohibit drug possession in Austria?

Drug possession for recreational purposes is prohibited in Austria under the Suchtmittelgesetz (SMG), or Narcotic Substances Act, which came into effect in 1998.

Under this law, drugs are categorized into three groups: narcotic drugs (such as cannabis – the drug, but not the plant with the same name or it’s non-psychoactive products such as CBD – and cocaine), psychotropic substances (like benzodiazepines), and precursors (chemicals that can be used to produce drugs like methamphetamines).

This division has been created so that there is some discretion regarding the sentences handed out for possessing different substances. 

Possession of any amount of these substances for personal use, however, without a prescription from a doctor, is illegal and punishable by law.

What are the likely outcomes if I’m caught with illegal drugs for my personal use?

The penalties depend on the quantity of the substance you are found with, alongside several other factors.

You will likely receive an administrative fine, which typically ranges from €100 for a first offence to upwards of €1000.

Again, this varies widely depending on the quantity and the specific substance involved.

READ ALSO:  Is cannabis legal in Austria?

Incarceration is also a possibility, with a custodial sentence of up to six months possible – although these are rare, and a term of probation is far more likely. 

Of course, if police suggest that you consumed any drugs in your possession while driving, fines of  €800 and €3,700 are possible, and your license could be suspended for up to six months.

Are there any alternatives to fines or imprisonment?

Yes, first-time offenders or those with obvious substance abuse problems are far more likely to be diverted into treatment programs. This is known as Therapie statt Straf, or ‘Therapy instead of punishment’. 

This generally involves a course that can last for several weeks and the requirement to return negative blood or urine tests for the drug.

Can I be stopped and searched by Austrian police?

Austrian police, whether federal or state, can stop you if they have a suspicion that you have illegal drugs or if you are in the act of committing another crime. 

However, they would need a warrant to search your private property.

Otherwise, random checks of both your person and property can be carried out at border crossings, airports and other high-security areas, so it is advisable to avoid carrying any illicit substances in such environments. 

Editor’s note: Updated to clarify that cannabis, when referring to the drug also known as marijuana or weed, is illegal in Austria. However, the cannabis plant or other non-psychoactive products, such as CBD, are regulated but not illegal.

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