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This UPR tool reflects the global recommendations made to Austria by all countries world-wide during the Universial Priodic Review process (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council and their current status of implementation. The League coordinates a significant part of Austrian civil society in the UPR process. 

The recommendations can be filtered in the menu below by human rights topics, SDGs, proponent states etc. also a search function is available. 

 

We welcome your comments and suggestions at upr@liga.or.at.

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Progress: No progress

Take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination of women in the labour market and reduce the gender pay gap

Proponent:

Uganda


Republic of Uganda

Uganda


Republic of Uganda

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):

There is still a significant pay gap between women and men in Austria. According to recent studies, women in Austria earn on average 18.8 per cent less than men, and this difference exists regardless of educational and professional qualifications (Statistik Austria, 2021: https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/gender-statistiken/einkommen). According to the Pay Transparency Directive, companies in the EU should in future exchange information on how much they pay women and men for work of equal value and take action if their gender pay gap exceeds 5 per cent. EU member states now have up to 3 years to transpose the directive into national law. This will include more comprehensive disclosure of starting salaries and pay levels, increased reporting obligations for companies and improved access to legal measures for employees (more information on this: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/themen/europa-aktuell/2023/04/gender-pay-gap-rat-der-eu-nimmt-neue-vorschriften-zur-lohntransparenz-an.html). In Austria, corresponding legislation has not yet been passed. The labour force participation rate for women is also still lower than for men (in 2022 70% compared to 78%, Statistics Austria: https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/arbeitsmarkt/erwerbstaetigkeit/erwerbstaetige-merkmale). Gender stereotypes and role expectations contribute to inequality, make it difficult for women to advance in their careers and reduce their opportunities. To tackle the gender pay gap in the EU, the Council of the European Union adopted new rules on 24 April 2023 to combat pay discrimination and reduce the gender pay gap. 

Progress: No progress

Adopt a comprehensive strategy to eliminate discriminatory stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society

Proponent:

Bahamas


Commonwealth of the Bahamas

Bahamas


Commonwealth of the Bahamas

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):

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). 

Progress: No progress

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

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Apr 1, 2025):

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). 

Progress: No progress

Strengthen its efforts to eliminate discriminatory stereotypes regarding the roles and the responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society

Proponent:

Timor-Leste


Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste


Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):

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). 

Progress: No progress

Work to combat discrimination against women and improve access for persons with disabilities in the workplace

Proponent:

USA


United States of America

USA


United States of America

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):

With this in mind, in August 2023 the ACA also published the report „Violence and Victim Protection for Women“, which highlights the potential for effective protection of women affected by violence. The ACA highlights shortcomings in strategic planning and recommends a coordinated joint strategy between the federal ministries and the federal states (Gewalt- und Opferschutz für Frauen, BUND 2023/21: https://www.rechnungshof.gv.at/rh/home/home/2023_21_Gewalt_und_Opferschutz_Frauen.pdf). An important civil society initiative in this area is the Neighbourhoods Without Partner Violence Initiative („StoP Partner Violence“) with the participation of the umbrella organisation Autonomous Austrian Women’s Shelters (for the initiative, see https://stop-partnergewalt.at/). The Austrian women’s organisations point out that violence against women, including femicide and domestic violence, is still reaching alarming proportions. In this critical situation, political, legal and financial measures that go beyond current measures are needed to effectively combat violence against women. In Austria, there is a distinction between people who are fit for work and those who are not. The ability or inability to work is determined exclusively on the basis of medical criteria, often directly after school. The federal states are responsible for people who are not fit for work, while the federal government is responsible for people who are fit for work. Hardly any measures have been taken with regard to the group of people who are unable to work. These people continue to work in day labour and employment structures, but do not receive a wage and have no independent social insurance (with the exception of accident insurance). This leads to increased poverty in old age and there is no data on the transition to the regular labour market. There are no nationwide uniform measures to make this possible and the planned measures in the National Action Plan 2022-2030 have not yet been implemented (see National Action Plan on Disability available on the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs: https://www.sozialministerium.at/Themen/Soziales/Menschen-mit-Behinderungen/Nationaler-Aktionsplan-Behinderung.html). Support services for people who are able to work are largely linked to a certain degree of disability (GdB), which means that people who do not have a degree of disability (GdB) determined by the state are excluded from corresponding support measures. The measures offered by the Public Employment Service (AMS) are not fully accessible to people with disabilities. As a result, unemployed people with disabilities are less likely to take part in AMS training programmes than unemployed people without disabilities.    There are only a few measures to combat gender-specific employment imbalances and wage gaps, apart from higher wage cost support for women with disabilities as part of the „Inclusion Support Plus“ programme (Inklusionsförderung/InklusionsförderungPlus: https://www.wko.at/service/arbeitsrecht-sozialrecht/inklusionsfoerderung-inklusionsfoerderungplus.html). There are no specific labour market policy measures for women with disabilities (wage subsidies: Website of the Social Ministry Service: https://www.sozialministeriumservice.at/Finanzielles/Foerderungen/Lohnfoerderungen/Lohnfoerderungen.de.html). 

Progress: No progress

Counter all forms of discrimination against women and girls with disabilities

Proponent:

Jordan


Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Jordan


Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):

No measures have been taken to prevent multiple and/or intersectional discrimination against women and girls with disabilities. There is still a lack of adequate consideration of the gender perspective in disability legislation, the disability perspective in women’s legislation, and the related enforcement of laws. The Ombud for Equal Treatment (website:https://www.gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft.gv.at), a state institution at the Federal Chancellery (BKA), is responsible for all grounds of discrimination except disability. However, women with disabilities must contact the Social Ministry Service (website: https://www.gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft.gv.at) and apply for conciliation. This conciliation procedure is mandatory and must be carried out before a lawsuit is filed with the civil court. The problem is that the Social Ministry Service has no specific expertise in dealing with women with disabilities and is also not trained in a gender-equitable approach;

Progress: In progress

Redouble efforts to eliminate all kinds of violence and discrimination against women and girls, regardless of their migratory status

Proponent:

Brazil


Federal Republic of Brazil

Brazil


Federal Republic of Brazil

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Apr 1, 2025):

With this in mind, in August 2023 the ACA also published the report „Violence and Victim Protection for Women“, which highlights the potential for effective protection of women affected by violence. The ACA highlights shortcomings in strategic planning and recommends a coordinated joint strategy between the federal ministries and the federal states (Gewalt- und Opferschutz für Frauen, BUND 2023/21: https://www.rechnungshof.gv.at/rh/home/home/2023_21_Gewalt_und_Opferschutz_Frauen.pdf). An important civil society initiative in this area is the Neighbourhoods Without Partner Violence Initiative („StoP Partner Violence“) with the participation of the umbrella organisation Autonomous Austrian Women’s Shelters (for the initiative, see https://stop-partnergewalt.at/). The Austrian women’s organisations point out that violence against women, including femicide and domestic violence, is still reaching alarming proportions. In this critical situation, political, legal and financial measures that go beyond current measures are needed to effectively combat violence against women. The 2021 violence protection package aims to protect women at risk and improve the financial framework. Among other things, preventative measures and awareness-raising are to be emphasised more strongly (see https://bmi.gv.at/magazin/2022_01_02/Gewaltschutz.aspx). Nevertheless, the financial resources still appear insufficient. There is also a lack of support for single parents and further training for professional groups who work with affected women and children. In this context, the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs‘ „PERSPECTIVE WORK“ project, which deals with gender equality and the prevention of violence against women in the workplace, is of interest (see the Ministry of Social Affairs‘ website: https://www.sozialministerium.at/Themen/Soziales/Soziale-Themen/Geschlechtergleichstellung/PERSPEKTIVE-ARBEIT.html). Austria therefore lacks a comprehensive, long-term strategy to protect women from violence, although responsibility is shared between the federal and state governments. The provinces fund women’s shelters and counselling centres in particular, while the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice and the Federal Chancellery are active at federal level. The Austrian women’s organisations point out that violence against women, including femicide and domestic violence, is still reaching alarming proportions. In this critical situation, political, legal and financial measures that go beyond the current measures are required to effectively combat violence against women.   As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the Federal Government is pursuing this goal through close cooperation with all stakeholders (see Government Plan 2ß025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html).

Progress: No progress

Support nationwide ban against sexist and discriminatory advertising

Proponent:

League


Österreichische Liga für Menschenrechte


Rahlgasse 1/26, A-1060 Wien


http://www.liga.or.at/projekte/universal-periodic-review-2020-upr/

League


Österreichische Liga für Menschenrechte


Rahlgasse 1/26, A-1060 Wien


http://www.liga.or.at/projekte/universal-periodic-review-2020-upr/

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):

In Austria, there is as yet no nationwide legal regulation against sexist and discriminatory advertising, although the issue keeps cropping up in political and social debate. There are currently various initiatives to take action against sexist advertising, but they either rely on the advertising industry’s self-regulatory mechanism or concern individual federal states. The Austrian Equal Treatment Act and the Press Council’s Code of Honour prohibit discrimination, but these regulations are often ineffective against sexist advertising in public spaces. A prominent example of such an initiative is the Women’s People’s Petition, which calls for a general ban on sexist advertising content in order to protect the mental health and well-being of the population. In some cities, such as Berlin or London, there are already specific regulations that restrict such advertising, which is being discussed as a model for Austria (Anti-Discrimination Agency STMK, federal law banning sexist advertising: https://www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.steiermark.at/cms/beitrag/11865759/99340954). There is currently no binding nationwide legal regulation in sight, even though there are repeated demands and concepts that provide for stronger legal control;

Redaktionelle Verantwortung UPR-Tool:

Österreichische Liga für Menschenrechte, upr@liga.or.at

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Unterstützung durch:

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