Our Work
Providing Professional Expertise for the Work of Member Organizations
Once a year, the member organizations define the Austrian Women’s Ring’s key areas focus. A central element of this work is the intensive exchange of information and experience between the individual organizations and associations.
Developing Proposals and Statements on Women's Issues
The Austrian Women’s Ring works closely with women’s departments of professional associations, ministries, provincial women’s offices, universities and other institutions, and contributes proposals for specialized studies and initiatives. We also organize conferences, round tables and similar events.
Public Relations Work on Women's Rights and Demands
Press and public relations work across a wide range of channels is one of the core responsibilities of the Austrian Women’s Ring. We are also represented with information booths at conferences, fairs and public events.
Development, Management and Maintenance of a Website
This website serves to connect the various women’s organizations and to facilitate the rapid dissemination of information.
Promoting International Cooperation with Women's Organizations
The Austrian Women’s Ring participates in EU projects (such as national action plans against social exclusion) and takes part in events, meetings and conferences on women’s policy issues across Europe.
The Austrian Women’s Ring also engages in joint lobbying efforts at the international level, particularly through its close cooperation with the European Women’s Lobby (EWL).
FAQ
We work towards the realization of women’s rights, equality policies and genuine gender justice. Our goal is to enable women to lead self-determined, independent and violence-free lives.
The Austrian Women’s Ring is funded through membership fees, project funding and donations.
Our members are highly diverse: ranging from large women’s associations and trade unions to smaller initiatives. Together, they form the voice of women and girls in Austria. An overview of our member organizations can be found here.
To contact one of our member organizations directly, please reach out them individually.
Any women’s organization or initiative that has existed for at least one year may become a full member. Associate membership (without voting rights) may be granted to individuals, organizations and initiatives that demonstrably support the aims of the Austrian Women’s Ring, though not as their primary focus. Admission to full or associate membership requires a written application followed by a decision of the Board.
For further information, please contact us via email.
No, we do not offer counseling services. However, if you or someone you know urgently needs help or advice, please contact one of the following services or, in case of emergency, the police (133):
164 Frauen- und Mädchenberatungsstellen in ganz Österreich (Women’s and girl’s counseling centers accross Austria): The Frauenberatung website provides an overview of the nationwide network of counseling services close to where you live. Counseling is free, confidential and anonymous.
Frauenhelpline gegen Gewalt (Helpline against Violence): anonymous, available 24/7, nationwide: +43 800 222 555
24-Stunden Frauennotruf Wien (Women’s Emergency Hotline Vienna): anonymous, available 24/7: +43 1 71 71 9
Frauenhäuser Wien (Women’s Shelters Vienna): Counseling, shelters, protection accommodation: +43 1 512 38 39
Orient Express: support and protection in cases of forced marriage and abduction: +43 1 728 97 25
IBF – Interventionsstelle für Betroffene von Frauenhandel (Intervention Centre for Vicitims of Human Trafficking): +43 1 796 92 98
Sophie: counseling for sex workers: +43 1 897 55 36
LEFÖ (Counseling, education and support for migrant women): https://lefoe.at/
Dachverband Frauen- & Mädchenberatung (Network of Austrian Women’s and Girl’s Counseling Centres): https://dfmb.at/
We bring our positions and those of our member organizations into discussions with politicians and ministries. At the same time, we work closely with the European Women’s Lobby, which represents the voices of women and girls across Europe.
We have contributed to important legislative initiatives, particulary in the areas of violence prevention and family law (including participation in the family law reform of the 1970s, advocacy for the abortion time-limit regulation introduced in 1975, and support both women’s referendums in 1997 and 2018). We have helped shape debates on equality, labour rights and women’s policy in Austria for more than 60 years and are regularly present in public discourse and the media.
Through our newsletter, social media channels and press releases.
Please visit our contact page.
For social media and press inquiries, please contact Pia Steiner (finanzen@frauenring.at).