Adopt a comprehensive strategy to eliminate discriminatory stereotypes of women and their portrayal as sexual objects, and ensure that children are educated about responsible sexual behaviour
Proponent:
Marshall Islands
Republic of Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
Republic of Marshall Islands
Sexuality education for children and adolescents in Austria faces several challenges. Although it is anchored in education, its implementation remains inconsistent and often inadequate. According to the WHO standards on sexuality education, teaching should promote a social climate of tolerance and openness and respect the diversity of genders and sexual identities (see WHO standards: https://www.sexualerziehung.at/hintergrundinformation-und-begriffserklaerungen/). However, many schools focus heavily on topics such as self-determination and pleasure, which leads to an incomplete discussion of sexuality (see GIVE Service Centre for Health Promotion in Austrian Schools, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection and the Austrian Youth Red Cross: https://give.or.at/gv2021/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Give_Sexualerziehung2021.pdf). In addition, sex education is often not sufficiently aligned with the respective developmental phases of young people. There is a lack of resources and specialists who are able to organise lessons in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner. As a result, many important topics, such as dealing with media, violence in relationships or sexual health, are often not addressed. Another problem is the social debate about gender ideologies and the role of the family. These discussions influence the curriculum and can lead to parents and teachers feeling unsure about how to approach the topics. Overall, although the situation in Austria is regulated by law, in practice there are many challenges and deficits in sexuality education for children and young people.
As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the federal government is launching a process to improve child and youth services, harmonise standards and provide funding for cross-sectoral projects (see Government Plan 2025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html). In 2022, the Austrian Women’s Fund LEA was founded to make a long-term strategic contribution to overcoming discriminatory stereotypes with regard to the roles and tasks of women and men. This fund offers various services, including school workshops with role models and the organisation of webinars, for example on the topic of financial education (Further information: https://letsempoweraustria.at/).
In both 2022 and 2021, the Women’s Section initiated the „Empowerment Call“ with the aim of breaking down gender stereotypes in the area of education and career choices. In September 2021, a comprehensive package of measures was presented aimed at strengthening women and girls with a migration background in their fight against patriarchal structures and cultures of honour. Part of these measures includes the expansion of counselling services in the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) centres (ÖIF package of measures as PDF: https://www.integrationsfonds.at/fileadmin/user_upload/20210604_Frauenaufruf_2021_Aufrufdokument.pdf).
